Roger Ebert on the Beijing Olympics

I don’t think I could’ve said it better… Roger Ebert on the Beijing Olympics:

Yes, there are criticisms to be made. China, like all nations, is far from perfect. Our Bill of Rights would create an upheaval in their society. There are all the stories about the “fakery” of the Olympics opening ceremony. True, but the ceremony was showbiz, which since time immemorial has shown us what cannot be. The amazing aspect is that so many aspects of the “fakery” were so quickly revealed, and no one lost his head because of treason. Even Zhang Yimou complained a little about some of the instructions he was given.

This is the bottom line: Olympics were a triumph for China. I’m not talking about gold medals, and I’m not talking about politics. I’m talking about appreciation for a glorious world event. About the deeper, richer, more complex vision we have of the nation. They did a hell of a job.

By the way, I’m posting this as we begin watching the closing ceremonies, and I’m quite sad that these Olympics are over. I don’t think I’ve ever been as affected, moved, captivated, and thrilled by an Olympic Games as I have been by this one. Via

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