Zhang Yimou to Film for Olympic BidWorld-famous Chinese film director Zhang Yimou will direct a 10-minute film to advance Beijing's bid for the 2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing Youth Daily reported on Sunday.Zhang said he plans to portray common Chinese people instead of filming ancient tombs and skyscrapers. "The film will be touching and easy to understand, and there will be no conceptional or artificial promotions," he said. He is now collecting ideas for the film's introduction via Internet. The Beijing's Olympics Bid Committee asked Zhang to organize a team and start shooting this month. A good introduction film is expected to advance Beijing's Olympics bid to the International Olympics Committee. But a careless mistake may foil all efforts, Zhang said. "Shooting such a film for the judges is really a great challenge for me." He said the film will bring him happiness and pride if his efforts draw an additional vote for Beijing from the judges. Zhang said he took the job because he believes the Olympics would help maintain China developing and opening-up. The Beijing's Olympics Bid Committee invited a director from the United States to shoot the short film in 1993. In 1993, Beijing was a finalist for this summer's games but lost by two votes to Sydney, Australia. This year the Beijing's Olympics Bid Committee has granted Zhang the freedom to finish the film with his ideas, without listening to any political or social opinions. Beijing and nine other cities are vying to host the 2008 Games. Other candidates include Bangkok, Cairo, Havana, Istanbul, Osaka and Paris. |
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