The man in charge of the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics, film director Zhang Yimou, reveals smiling faces will be one of the features of the ceremonies. It's the first time the director has given a hint about what's to come at the hotly anticipated ceremony.

The man in charge of the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics, film director Zhang Yimou, reveals smiling faces will be one of the features of the ceremonies. (Photo:CCTV.com)

Zhang Yimou was at a news conference Wednesday, on the sidelines of the annual session of China's top legislature, the National People's Congress. Accompanying him was Beijing Vice Mayor Liu Jingmin and Olympic champion paddler Deng Yaping.

Zhang, China's top film director and an Oscar nominee, is responsible for an expected lavish ceremony to open the Games at the "Birds' Nest" National Stadium.

Zhang declared at the beginning of the conference he had signed contracts with Draconian confidentiality provisions. That didn't stop reporters from trying to pump him for information. Finally Zhang gave in a little, disclosing a single detail of the opening ceremony.

The man in charge of the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics, film director Zhang Yimou, reveals smiling faces will be one of the features of the ceremonies. (Photo:CCTV.com)

Zhang said, "We've collected over ten thousand photos of children's smiling faces from the five continents. They'll be shown at the end of the opening ceremony. These, definitely, will be touching. That's all I can tell you."

Olympic champion paddler Deng Yaping, now an official with Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games, announced that the Olympic Village will open July 27. Besides accommodation for athletes, the Olympic Village will have recreational facilities, shopping centers and a community square.

(CCTV March 14, 2008)