This weekend, go for the art film(s)

If you’re looking for an artistic experience this weekend, you could do worse than checking out the AMC Theatres. On tap are the Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Picture, Iran’s “A Separation,” and the Wim Wenders documentary look at the life and work of dancer/choreographer Pina Bausch, “Pina.”

“A Separation” is a riveting look at a family crisis precipitated by a woman’s desire to immigrate and her husband’s insistence on fulfilling his obligations (his father, an alzheimer’s patient, is unable to care for himself). When the couple separates, things gradually worsen for everyone involved. It’s hard to sit through, would not be most people’s idea of a fun Friday night film. But “A Separation” is clearly one of the best films of 2011.

“Pina” is a film about dance. I know very little about dance, but after watching “Pina” I think I understand it as an artistic expression just a bit. Bausch died in 2009 (at age 68), but hearing Bausch’s dancers explain how their leader influenced and encouraged them — and then to see them put the results in action — is an education in and of itself.

Again, enjoy.