TODAY AT AFI FESTIVAL

Following are The Times’ recommendations for today’s schedule of the American Film Institute Los Angeles International Film Festival (AFIFEST), with commentary by the film reviewing staff. Information: (213) 480-3232 or (213) 520-2000.

Highly recommended:

“THE BEEKEEPER”(Greece; Director: Theo Angelopoulos; Cineplex Century Plaza). Like all of Angelopoulos’ work, this one--a contemporary drama and road movie, starring Marcello Mastroianni--is hauntingly sad, mysteriously beautiful. It’s a homage of sorts to Michelangelo Antonioni, a definitive poetic portrait of an aging man facing disillusionment, pain, isolation, the lusts of youth, possible destruction. (Michael Wilmington).

“SITTING PRETTY ON A BRANCH”(Czechoslovakia; Director: Juraj Jakubisko; Cineplex Odeon Fairfax). A comic fairy tale on the aftermath of World War II, with a clown from a concentration camp searching for a stolen bicycle full of hidden gold, this is a magical film, a return to the great ‘60s period of Czechoslovakian cinema. (Sheila Benson).

Recommended:

“THE LONG WAY HOME”(U.S.; Director: Michael Apted; AFI Mark Goodson). This documentary has a priceless subject, which it reveals with dispassionate skill: the rocky road traveled by the underground Leningrad rock band, Aquarium, after signing its first Western recording contract. (M. W.)

“TIE ME UP, TIE ME DOWN”(Spain; Director: Pedro Almodovar; Century Plaza). This comedy about sexual bondage, while using many of the Almodovar stock company, has less of the inspired, dead-ahead zaniness of his earlier successes. His fans may not mind. (S.B.)