This week, the two hubs of independent-film exhibition (true indies, not movies with studio distribution) are Capitol Hill and downtown. More specifically, they are at the Little Theatre and the Jewel Box Theater.

The Little Theatre continues its Wrestlezania festival of wrestling movies. In researching the topic, I quickly ran across the term "kayfabe" (rhymes with "hey babe"), which refers to the code of honor among those in the wrestling business that forbids talking about matches as being scripted and choreographed. Though wrestlers have always been good at staying in character, there has been a growing inclination lately to emphasize the action in the ring more than the soap opera outside of it.

Then again, the soap opera and the action are inextricably linked in the wrestling stars. Take, for example, the Sheik. Not having seen the movie, I don't know how I Like to Hurt People: A Tribute to Edward Farhat, The Sheik (Fri Sept 19) reflects on Arab stereotypes (probably not well). However, I'm sure it reflects very well on the bad guys of wrestling, through a portrait of one of the nastiest. Then there's Ed Asner starring as a promoter in the 1974 film The Wrestler (Sat Sept 20), which uses a bunch of wrestlers from the now-defunct American Wrestling Association. As I understand it, those itching to see Dick the Bruiser, the Crusher, Ric Flair, "Dirty" Dick Murdoch, Dusty Rhodes, and other classic wrestlers will appreciate the film more than those going in for the story. Of course, there will be no turning away the legion of Asner fans who will be lining up to see it.

The other Wrestlezania movie, Gaea Girls (playing through Sept 21), is not kayfabe, as it goes behind the scenes in showing the training regimen for female Japanese wrestlers. But it does show how brutal and difficult the training is, and the fights are much more real than you'd ever imagine. Meanwhile, the Grand Illusion is showing the brilliant "Rowdy" Roddy Piper movie They Live as a late show on Friday and Saturday.

On Thursday, September 18 at the Jewel Box Theater in the Rendezvous, there's some sort of fundraiser for Out of Nothing Productions, described as a night of short films with music. On Monday, September 22, Sounds of the Sound will showcase a host of music videos from some of our region's loudest and best bands. Then, in an event that is more independent than local, on Wednesday, September 24, the theater will show Orson Welles' wonderfully imaginative version of Kafka's The Trial, starring Anthony Perkins.

The final thing I want to mention is the Seattle Neutrino Project (Sat Sept 20 at 911 Media Arts Center) because of the audacity of what they're going to attempt. In conjunction with the Fringe Theatre Festival, they are going to improvise a movie live on tape. Take that, Mike Figgis!

andy@thestranger.com