The 2008
The
The drumming performance was a very powerful piece. As the massive drummers filled the stadium and roar, it is undeniable that a statement as been made. The performance was colossal and executed with great precision and vast energy, almost militaristic. I felt the piece was one that symbolizes a powerful unity that can be translated as communist strength. The drummers are uniform and completely disciplined in their performance. Not one drummer stood out, each simply was a part of a whole entity. It promotes a sense of a collectivism rather than individualism.
As the sparkles of dust come together to form the Olympic rings, vivid fairies can be seen gracefully floating around. Not soon after, the crowd cries in awe as the fairies magically lifts the Olympic rings suspended in the air. When I saw this scene, I automatically thought of the Wuxai genre. I couldn’t help but smile to see this incorporated into the opening act. I thought it was very strategic the way they play into this commercialized fascination that is prevalent in films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Hero, House of Flying Daggers, etc. Simultaneously, the performance also reminds me of Disney productions, specially
The center piece would have to be scroll performance. It was a harmonious piece that brought together many traditional cultural arts such as calligraphy, dancing, music, and natural elements. It was this collective artwork that truly animated these various cultural forms. Again, it was a piece that was produced through massive manpower and dedication.
Overall, the
Most Chinese do consider the performances a matter of pride, myself included, because it definitely showcased how great the Chinese nation could be. To play devil's advocate, though, it's often criticized that the CCP spent so much money on the ceremony and Olympics in general that they are willfully ignoring the plight of much of rural China. The development of western China has been lacking severely behind those of the eastern port cities, and it does not seem that the government has much interest in helping the west catch up, as long as the world thinks China is growing prosperously.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the writer's opinions. The big Olympic opening is the most important activity for Chinese to show the ancient historical nation is mordern and developed to the world. However, just a few of monthes before the opeaning, an earthquack happened in South China which caused over 80 thousand people died. The CCP put much more money on the Olympic games rather than the construction of earthquack places.
ReplyDeleteI thought of Disneyland too when i saw the fireworks show, but maybe that's because I think they have footprint fireworks at Disneyland. However, I didn't relate the fireworks to Hollywood theatrics. Aren't fireworks part of Chinese history? (or am I just being an ignorant American as usual -_-).
ReplyDeleteThe only thing i related to "Hollywood" was the special effects and the lip singing.
As for China's response to the earthquake that nannan049 brought up... I think China isn't the only nation that failed to respond to natural disasters properly, think Hurricane Katrina...
Lee, I agree with your review about how magnificent the ceremonies were. My breath was taken away when I saw the performances on tv and I was thoroughly impressed. Part of me thought to myself, "Of course China would pull off something like this." I think that had to do with the Chinese in me knowing that intrinsic in Chinese culture (or what I am familiar with at least) is always trying to be on top and outdo everyone else. I thought everything was absolutely beautiful and so imaginative. I was so envious of the people in the stadium and really wished I could be there.
ReplyDeleteBinh-Young, I also agree with out about how the government does not take care of all its people, like the marginalized and rural people. I feel it is entirely possible that thousands were starving while hundreds sat ignorantly in the Bird's Nest marveling in their magical wonderland. I don't blame them though, I would probably do the same if I had the opportunity. It is undoubtedly difficult to think about other issues when you are being bombarded with grandeur performance after performance.
I agree with you that some scenes of the opening ceremony “promote a sense of collectivism rather than individualism,” and I also found some scenes “almost militaristic.” The performers’ movements were synchronized and they had the same facial expressions while they performed. Instead of standing out and getting audiences’ attention, the performers did the best they could to create perfect harmony with others. I also agree with you that the ceremony “symbolized a powerful unity that can be translated as communist strength.” The performers did perfect performances and tried to have smiles on their faces as if they were controlled by someone. The performers in the opening ceremony seemed to dedicate their performances to their country of China instead of truly enjoying their own performances.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the performance was quite amazing, but I just can't help thinking about how perfect it really was. The perfection was undoubtedly due, at least partly, to strict demands from the Chinese government. The constant smiling and feelings of unity and community are perhaps just a veil placed over the performance for the sake of global appeal.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it was definitely worth watching, but still wondering if it's truly worthy. Later Yahoo and other station found out that some of the performance turned out to be politically wrong, as in, the CG-fireworks and Han children pretending to be ethnic-Chinese. It's absolutely a powerful show, but much remained as a show, not the performance to remember in terms of unity.
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