A PREVIEW OF THE OFFICIAL AND ZABALTEGI SECTIONS

The 43rd edition of the International Film Festival of San Sebastian. The film A WALK IN THE CLOUDS by the Mexican director Alfonso Arau will open the festival - out of competition. Here, the author of "Como agua para chocolate" has brought together a heterogeneous group of actors, including Antony Quinn, Keanu Reeves, Aitana Sanchez Gijon and Giancarlo Giannini, to tell the story of a romantic: adventure set in California during the 40s.

From among the titles selected to compete in the Official Section, the following films have already been confirmed: EL PALOMO COJO by Jaime de Arminain, an adaptation of the homonymous novel by Eduardo Mendicutti, with Paco Rabal, Maria Barranco and Carmen Maura; LEAVING LAS VEGAS by Mike Figgis, the director who competed in the 1988 edition of this Festival with "Stormy Monday"; DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS, by Carl Franklin, the author of "Falso movimiento", screened in the 1993 Zabaltegi Section; MY FAMILY, by Gregory Nava; MUJERES INSUMISAS, by Alberto Isaac; ELLE, by Valeria Sarmiento, the director who won the New Director's Prize at the 1984 edition with "Notre mariage"; MARGARET'S MUSEUM, by Mort Ransen and SCHLAFES BRUDER by Joseph Vilsmaier.

Presented out of competition will be LE HUSSARD SUR LE TOIT by Jean Paul Rappenau; THE NET by Irwin Winkler and LA FLOR DE MI SECRETO, by Pedro Almodovar.

Some of the other films which can be seen in the Zabaltegi section are, Suite 16, by Dominique Deruader, who presented his first feature film "'Crazy Love" in the 1987 Official Section-, DOS CRIMENES by Roberto Sneider., BLUE IN THE FACE, by Wayne Wang; CARRINGTON, by Christopher Hampton. starring Emma Thompson and Jonathan Pryce. prize to the best actor at the last Cannes Festival-, BOSTON KICKOUTS, by Paul Hills,. DE-SPERADO by Robert Rodriguez; THE DOOM GENERATION, by Greff Araki. one of the pioneers of the so-called Queer New Wave, and his first heterosexual film, USUAL SUSPECTS by Brian Singer; GAZON MAUDIT by Josianne Belasko. with Victoria Abril,. PRIEST, by Antonia Bird.

Among the special sections which will be screened at this edition, are, BRAVEHEART, Mel Gibson's second feature film as a director. This will be projected in the Anoeta Velodrome. As well as directing the, film, Gibson also plays the part of William Wallace. leader of the Scottish rebellion in its fight against England.

OTHER RETROSPECTIVES

GREGORY LA CAVA. one of the great pioneers of animated cinema who later became one of the most sought-after directors in Hollywood, His work and talent have been left unrecognized for far to long.

SPANISH CINEMA DISCOVERIES, a selection of films from all ages will offer a little-known panorama of the ups and downs of Spanish Cinema. Commercial failures. which have now awakened unexpected interest, forgotten, picturesque, or significant films.

THE CENTENARY OF CINEMA, documentaries sponsored by the British Film Institute and directed'-by famous filmmakers who take a look at their own country.

MADE IN SPANISH 95, Visitors to the Festival will also have the chance to get to know the latest films to have been produced in the Spanish State and Latin America with copies subtitled in English.

FIPRESCI SELECTION, films to have been awarded prizes by FIPRESCI at the most recent international festivals.

MAGNUM EXHIBITION comprising 206 photographs taken by photographers from the MAGNUM agency over the last 50 years on the subject of the film industry.