August 21, 2026

WIFF’S WEEKEND WATCH LIST — 8/21

Check out our recommendations of what to watch this weekend.

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN ABOUT A LEGEND

FRIDA

Vincent Georgie: Salma Hayek worked for years to develop this project and it was worth her considerable efforts. Her terrific lead performance is not only her best performance, but also landed her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Well-supported by Alfred Molina, Hayek is also well-paired with visionary filmmaker Julie Taymor.

Synopsis: Biopic of the bold and controversial life of artist Frida Kahlo. Set in Mexico City, this visually evocative film traces her lifelong, tempestuous relationship with her mentor, along with her illicit affairs with Trotsky and various women. Her forward-thinking artistic, political and sexual attitudes are explored as we witness a hard-drinking, passionate woman of the early 1900s, which earned an Oscar nomination for Salma Hayek.

Available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime.

IF YOU WANT A TOUCHING DRAMA

THE BLUE CAFTAN

Vincent Georgie: WIFF superfan Ana Maria thinks this film is a knockout, and I couldn’t agree more. The beauty, sensitivity and humanity of this complicated love story will stay with you for a long time. Strong recommendation. From Moroccan filmmaker Maryam Touzani.

Synopsis: Halim and Mina run a traditional caftan store in one of Morocco’s oldest medinas. In order to keep up with demanding customers, they hire a talented young man as an apprentice. Mina slowly realizes just how much her husband is moved by his presence.

Available on Apple TV and Crave.

IF YOU WANT SOME SMART LAUGHS

ROXANNE

Vincent Georgie: Steve Martin as a modern-day Cyrano? Expectedly, his natural wit is the star of the show. A fave from the ’80s.

Synopsis: In this modern take on Edmond Rostand’s classic play “Cyrano de Bergerac,” C. D. Bales (Steve Martin) is the witty, intelligent and brave fire chief of a small Pacific Northwest town who, due to the size of his enormous nose, declines to pursue the girl of his dreams, lovely Roxanne Kowalski (Daryl Hannah). Instead, when his shy underling Chris McConnell (Rick Rossovich) becomes smitten with Roxanne, Bales feeds the handsome young man the words of love to win her heart.

Available on Apple TV, YouTube, and Amazon Prime.

DOUBLE FEATURE

MASTERFUL BIOPICS

Vincent Georgie: Thanks to towering lead performances by Denzel Washington and Daniel Day-Lewis, not to mention visionary direction by Spike Lee and Steven Spielberg, both of these films are compelling, high quality biopics that set the standard. You’re in for a knockout night with these two.

MALCOLM X

A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the ’50s, he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left a legacy of self-determination and racial pride.

Available on Apple TV, Crave, YouTube, and Amazon Prime.

LINCOLN

With the nation embroiled in still another year with the high death count of Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln brings the full measure of his passion, humanity and political skill to what would become his defining legacy: to end the war and permanently abolish slavery through the 13th Amendment. Having great courage, acumen and moral fortitude, Lincoln pushes forward to compel the nation, and those in government who oppose him, to aim toward a greater good for all mankind.