Trio Ready for Big Opening

As the Beijing Olympic Games approach, Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou has only one wish-his spectacular opening ceremony production lives up to the expectations of the billions of viewers around the world.

The 54-year-old Zhang was appointed chief director for both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games. "[It is demanding] because we will have to condense Chinese civilization that spans 5,000 years along with the soul of the Olympics into a 50-minute show, and all through visual effects," he said. But Zhang vowed to stage a spectacular gala. "We will have an incredibly large audience from all over the world, so we need something understandable."

A grand fireworks display, in addition to lighting effects featuring brilliant colors, especially red that is seen as a symbol of China, will fire up the global audience. A cast of thousands will present Chinese elements, such as the Terracotta Warriors, sky lanterns and kungfu, something that all fans of Chinese culture expect to see during the ceremony on August 8, Zhang was quoted as saying by national TV broadcaster CCTV.

As a director of world renown, Zhang's deep cross-cultural directorial experience made him an obvious choice for organizers of the Beijing Olympic Games, who invited him to produce the promotional videos for the bid and emblem release, as well as the grand ceremonies.

Well-known choreographer Zhang Jigang assists Zhang Yimou in the planning and direction of the opening ceremony.

The 47-year-old is popular across the country for his award-winning Thousand-Hand Guanyin performed by dancers with hearing disability. He has created over 360 dance extravaganzas to date, nine of which have won international awards.

Zhang said cultural difference was a major challenge. "Despite our cultural divergence, we will seek to highlight the relationship between the inner stadium and area outside the stadium, to display the harmony between nature and humankind," Zhang told the media before the first rehearsal on July 2.

Zhang, also chief director for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Paralympics, promised that his choreography for the Games will feature unprecedented dance sequences.

Chen Weiya, Director of the China National Song and Dance Ensemble, also helps Zhang Yimou plan part of the opening ceremony and the closing ceremony.

Chen is an experienced artist in directing ceremonies for big events, such as the opening ceremony for the Beijing 2001 World University Games. Before the ceremonies, Chen has worked with Zhang on numerous occasions. As the main venue for competition events, Chen and his team will have only a few days to prepare the closing ceremony, but Chen sees the stringent time schedule as an opportunity to show his artistic creativity.