The Hawaii International Film Festival, which begins today and runs through Oct. 21, encompasses 222 films from 43 countries. To help you pare down the offerings, the Star-Advertiser is presenting daily highlights:

"Scarlet Road" (Real Life, 5:15 p.m.): Documentary about Australian sex worker Rachel Wotton, who has become highly specialized in working with clients with disabilities. She makes a dramatic impact on the lives of two of her clients — one with multiple sclerosis, the other with cerebral palsy — with her work combining touch and sexual intimacy.

"Love on Gallery Bridge" (New Chinese Cinema, 5:30 p.m., repeats 3:30 p.m. Tuesday): Called the Chinese version of "The Bridges of Madison County," this beautiful drama is about a middle-age village woman and the three men in her life.

"Full Circle" (New Chinese Cinema, 6 p.m., repeats 4 p.m. Friday): A heartwarming tale of a group of irrepressible senior citizens living in a nursing home who are energized when they decide to compete on a TV variety show.

"Vivan las Antipodas!" (World Cinema, 7:15 p.m., repeats 1:30 p.m. Monday): A standout travelogue with the curious premise that only a few inhabited places are exactly opposite each other on this planet, including Hawaii island and Kubu, Botswana, in Africa.

"The Sapphires" (Opening Night Film, 8:30 p.m.): Based on a true story about four singing Aboriginal sisters who are repackaged as Australia’s answer to the Supremes and entertain American troops during the Vietnam War.

"The Raw and the Cooked" (Spotlight on Taiwan, 8:30 p.m., repeats 4 p.m. Wednesday): A journey through the country’s diverse culinary heritage.