Friday, July 27, 2007
Spielberg and the Beijing Olympics
Steven Spielberg was the nicest super-famous, super-rich person I ever interviewed. I liked Bill Gates, but I wouldn't accuse him of being nice. I seem to have been urgently engaged watching Scrubs or something when Spielberg was appointed artistic director of the Beijing Olympics. Anyway, now, it seems, he may resign because of China's policy - or lack of it - in Darfur. 'Does Mr Spielberg really want to go down in history as the Leni Riefenstahl of the Beijing Games?' Mia Farrow asked. On the other hand, does he want to go down in history as the man who took political advice from Mia Farrow? Nevertheless, he has a problem. Nice, liberal Steve has been confronted with the harsh reality of a political system and mentality capable of horrific, smiling-faced cynicism. Hu Jintao's response to Spielberg's resignation threat will be interesting. If he bothers, my guess would be a smokescreen of fake concern. Steve should then leave them to do their own opening ceremony.
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A blog about, among other things, imaginary ideas - What ifs? and Imagine thats. What if photographs looked nothing like what we see with our eyes? Imagine that the Berlin Wall had never come down. What if we were the punchline of an interminable joke? All contributions welcome.
He must be bonkers to have had anything to do with this. Maybe if you're really rich and famous, thinking you can influence the Chinese government is the only "symptom" of madness the present age makes available.
ReplyDeleteI wonder who we'll get for the 2012 London Olympics. Jacques Tati would have been perfect for the job, imho.
I'd go for Anne Widdecombe or Rolf Harris.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Bill Gates will do it instead.
ReplyDeleteSurely it is far too easy to bash China for you to give in to the temptation so easily, Mr Appleyard.
ReplyDeleteIn a civilised world, no-one would be allowed to do it before they have read all of Joseph Needham.
Bryan, as one who has read all of Joseph Needham (and understood most of it), I am pleased to lend you my official criticism permit and encourage you to "Carry on!" I'll fax you a certified copy along with my notice of assignment and agreement not to criticize China while you are in possession of it. as that would violate the rules.
ReplyDeleteMy self-critcism permit is also available for a nominal fee.
also, i believe even George Steiner admits to not having read Needham; and if Steiner's not read it, it's okay for lesser mortals to not read it too.
ReplyDeleteVery hard to find mortals lesser than George Steiner. I believe you, elberry, are one of the very few.
ReplyDeletehey, thanks! - oh wait, you were being cruel. Ah well, thanks anyway, it's that kind of day.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet he has no problem with Fidel Castro.
ReplyDelete