Films with an opinion

Justifying its name once again, the Collective for Living Cinema has organized a relevant and ''living'' program of movies focusing on a topical issue. The subject is United States policy toward its southern neighbors, to be explored ''in collaboration with 'Artists Call' against U.S. intervention in Central America.'' On view this weekend, it will be a partisan program with outspoken views - a free-for-all of committed cinema.

Without commenting on the views themselves, I commend the Collective for serving such a vigorous reminder that film need not be synonymous with escapism or nondescript ''evenhandedness.''