World Class Film Directors Spielberg And Zhang Yimou To Collaborate On Opening And Closing Ceremonies For the 2008 Beijing Olympics

BEIJING - "Steven Spielberg will join filmmaker Zhang Yimou in designing the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Zhang, whose films include "Hero" and "House of Flying Daggers," was named Sunday to lead a team that includes Spielberg.

"I've promised not to direct any films in the next two years so as to make full preparations for the Olympics," Zhang was quoted as saying in the official Xinhua News Agency.

Zhang said his hiatus will start after he finishes his latest project, "The City of Golden Armor," starring Chow Yun-fat and Gong Li.

He is to stage the world premiere of countryman Tan Dun's opera "The First Emperor" for New York's Metropolitan Opera later this year. It wasn't clear how that commitment would be affected by his new Olympics role.

Spielberg's films include "Schindler's List," "Saving Private Ryan" and "Munich. [He is also currently involved in the coproduction, with Ukraine, "Babyn Yar".]"

Associated Press "Spielberg Joining Olympics Ceremony Team " Yahoo!News April 17, 2007.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060417/ap_en_mo/
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The 2008 Beijing Olympic Stadium designed by Herzog & De Meuron.

Image credit: www.chinese-tools.com/.../ national-stadium.html
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