José Luis Borau was born in Zaragoza, 1929. Director and producer of Spanish cinema he alternated advertising and film directing. His most notable films are Poachers (1975) who was his big success. After four years filmed Sabina (1979). Downstream (1984) was his most ambicious film, in english with an international cast. He was also president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1994-1998.