Roger Ebert reflects on the opening ceremonies, and China at large
Roger Ebert reflects on the opening ceremonies, and China at large:
It is little hard to imagine Chicago (or Rio and our other competitors) finding 2,016 unpaid volunteers to rehearse endlessly for an opening performance. But we wouldn’t expect it. The closest America comes to a production like this is probably the halftime show at the Super Bowl. Although our universities have marching bands, our emphasis at the Super Bowl is more often on individuals, even if they are Janet Jackson. We are just not inclined to present thousands of painstakingly drilled performers. The closest sight I have seen to Friday night’s spectacle, and I mean this objectively, not with disrespect, is the sight of all those Germans marching wave upon wave before Hitler in “Triumph of the Will.“
Comments
JakeT
August 11, 2008 2:11pmIs anybody talking about the connection between this idea and the fact that China is still a totalitarian state?
The Visitor
August 12, 2008 10:17amat least Ebert wrote a reasonable, well thought-out piece. from where i’m standing, it would seem like the west is out on a smear China campaign. reports are endlessly pointing out petty little stuff like fake child singer, fake fireworks, empty stadiums.
well, get over it, China did a great show. all events are moving smoothly so far. so what’s the problem?