I crave, in no particular order, respect for the audience, respect for the story and its characters and respect for women. It boils down to the basic definition of the principle of this grand word "respect," which is "due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights or traditions of others."

One of the more enjoyably offbeat features at last year's New York Film Festival that is only now seeing the light of day is Martin Rejtman's Two Shots Fired. This comic offering showcases Argentina as a land plagued by emotional neutrality. No smiles. No Howard Beale outbursts. No fidgety tots and no Lotharios aquiver.

Manhattan is an island awash in film festivals. If there are new movies with a thematic niche, chances are there's a film festival with a clever lineup of screenings -- and film junkies lining up outside -- somewhere the city.