THIS WEEKEND AT AFI FESTIVAL

F ollowing are The Times’ recommendations for this weekend’s schedule of the American Film Institute Los Angeles International Film Festival, with commentary by the film reviewing staff. Information: (213) 466-1767.

TODAY

Highly recommended:

“AMERICAN DREAM”(United States; Barbara Kopple; Monica 4-Plex, noon). This toweringly fine, tragic film, 1991’s Oscar-winning documentary, watches as everything hard-working Americans accept as part of their lives evaporates. Charting with empathy but fairness the 5-year-long course of a meatpacker’s strike in Austin, Minn., Kopple gives the word “Depression” a recognizable human face. (Sheila Benson)