Chinese film director Zhang Yimou, who is masterminding the 2008 Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, plans to collect 10,000 children's smiles for the opening ceremony.

"We will collect the smiles of children of different regions, colors and races all over the world," Zhang told Xinhua News Agency.

"We will display these smiles at the opening ceremony, after our artistic processing, to complement the theme of the games: One World, One Dream," he said.

Games organizers are currently discussing the plan in detail and it is expected to be formally launched very soon, according to Zhang.

According to a senior official of the Organizing Committee for the Beijing Olympic Games (BOCOG), rehearsals for the opening ceremony will begin in September.

BOCOG has invited Zhang to act as director for the Games' opening and closing ceremonies, Hollywood director Steven Spielberg, Australian Ric Birch and Frenchman Yves Pepin will serve as artistic consultants.

Zhang, one of China's most respected directors, is best known for his films Raise the Red Lantern, Hero and House of Flying Daggers. He has won the Jury Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, and has twice taken the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival.

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2007)