Brit-TV Tribute Opens at Guild

Among the many intriguing offerings at the American Cinematheque’s “A Tribute to Britain’s Channel 4 Television” this weekend at the Directors Guild, 7920 Sunset Blvd., is Beeban Kidron’s riveting “Hookers, Hustlers, Pimps and Their Johns” (Saturday at 7:30 p.m.), a breathtakingly candid and comprehensive survey of prostitution in New York City.

Kidron talks to everyone from the desperate drug-addicted streetwalkers of South Bronx to a male hustler, a plump dominatrix and a pair of beefy, affable guys about to open their own brothel.

Often hilarious, sometimes scary and occasionally heartbreaking, Kidron’s documentary is refreshingly non-judgmental.

Other especially promising new films in the tribute are Ken Loach’s “Ladybird, Ladybird” (Friday at 7:30 p.m.), a story of a woman’s love and faith starring Chrissy Rock, and Paul Anderson’s “Shopping” (Saturday at 9:15 p.m.), a hard-action tale of young British joy riders given to driving through department store windows. Information: (213) 466-FILM.