Sawt Falasteen - Pedro Almodovar to be honoured at San Sebastian festival

The 74-year-old will pick up the Donostia award for "extraordinary contributions to the world of cinema" on September 26 before the screening of his first feature film in English, "The Room Next Door", starring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore.

Swinton, who also appeared in his short film "The Human Voice", will present him with the distinction.

"Almodovar's cinema is remarkable for the writing of its female characters, the directing of its actors, its courage in addressing subjects such as the LGBTIQ+ universe, religion, sex, addiction and historical memory, and his political commitment," organisers said in a statement.

They also praised his "artistic talent and his instantly recognisable visual style -- his personality shines through from the art direction to the soundtrack".

Almodovar's "All About My Mother" about a woman struggling with the sudden death of her teenage son, picked up the best foreign language Oscar in 1999.

He won the screenwriting Oscar for his 2002 movie "Talk to Her", about two men who form an unlikely bond when both their girlfriends are in comas.

Almodovar, who is a regular at the festival, has in previous years handed out Donostias to Al Pacino, Woody Allen and Antonio Banderas -- one of his frequent collaborators.

"This year they are giving it to me, and I am delighted and grateful," Almodovar said in the statement.

"I mean it, it's an honour. San Sebastian is one of the cities where the cinema is celebrated with enormous enthusiasm."

Organisers announced in May that Australian actor Cate Blanchett would also receive the Donostia award at this year's festival, the highest-profile movie event in the Spanish-speaking world.

She will also feature on the main poster of the 72nd San Sebastian film festival which runs from September 20 to 28.

D.Khalil--SF-PST