Chinese director Zhang Yimou will create an artistic legend in Athens when the Athens Olympics draws down its curtain Aug. 29. Led by Zhang, 170 Chinese artists will stage an eight-minute-long performance at the Athens Olympic Stadium that night.

"Eight minutes, I only need eight minutes to overwhelm Athens and the whole world!" Zhang Yimou expressed his confidence with excitement and passion.

He wants to prove that he is a perennial favorite with his superb aesthetic taste and organizing capacity as a film tycoon. Zhang also intends to use this opportunity to show people all over the world that he is the best suited to direct the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Zhang Yimou rose to dizzying international fame with the film Red Sorghum and Raise High the Red Lantern, a series of films with rural themes and beautiful story-telling scenes. He again became the center of attention with his new production, House of Flying Daggers, which he described as a film to amaze people within three minutes.

For the Athens Olympics, Zhang refuses to lift the mysterious veil as he usually does for his new film productions.

"I cannot disclose any performance details, because I have to abide by the contract and keep this a secret." Zhang expresses that the show will depart from his trademark style and it will come in line with the ambience of the ceremony as a part of the whole event.

Who will be the director of the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony remains as a big question. The already world-famous director Zhang is no doubt the most competitive candidate and he has previously succeeded in directing the TV promos of the Beijing Olympic Games.

"The water pool in the center of the Olympic Stadium left a very deep impression on me, as it represents the Mediterranean and looks very unique." Zhang watched closely at the opening ceremony of the Athens Olympics by invitation from the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee and then he returned to Beijing. After a short stay in Beijing, he will return to Athens to prepare for the performance.

Editor: Donald