Opening Ceremony Thread! Lots Of Snarks Please! We're British!!

[berthesghost]

yes, enough of this liberal nonsense honoring socialism and universally loved cultural icons! China and Russia understand that the Olys are really about goose-stepping and carefully crafted right-wing political propaganda. Although, one never knows how influenced "new Russia" will be by the overwhelmingly positive response to the long haired british fops. Perhaps a tribute to the massacre of the royal family thru music and dance, or a nice "throw the filthy jews out" carefully choreographed procession? Lenin's corpse lighting the cauldren would be cool.

[SHARPIE]

yes, enough of this liberal nonsense honoring socialism and universally loved cultural icons! China and Russia understand that the Olys are really about goose-stepping and carefully crafted right-wing political propaganda. Although, one never knows how influenced "new Russia" will be by the overwhelmingly positive response to the long haired british fops. Perhaps a tribute to the massacre of the royal family thru music and dance, or a nice "throw the filthy jews out" carefully choreographed procession? Lenin's corpse lighting the cauldren would be cool.

PML! Are you ? Awesome!

Hitler Youth for Frau!

[my little pony]

The music from the opening ceremony is available on iTunes for anyone interested.

ooh i am i am

it went to fast for me to identify #oldandpathetic

[morqet]

The music from the opening ceremony is available on iTunes for anyone interested.

I've already been listening to it all weekend. Someone should skate to Caliban's Dream

[Cachoo]

yes, enough of this liberal nonsense honoring socialism and universally loved cultural icons! China and Russia understand that the Olys are really about goose-stepping and carefully crafted right-wing political propaganda. Although, one never knows how influenced "new Russia" will be by the overwhelmingly positive response to the long haired british fops. Perhaps a tribute to the massacre of the royal family thru music and dance, or a nice "throw the filthy jews out" carefully choreographed procession? Lenin's corpse lighting the cauldren would be cool.

I liked the opening ceremonies. When someone says "carefully choreographed" I think of North Korea under 'lil Kim. I especially loved the tribute to childrens literature and the appreciation of the health care system. And Kenneth B. could recite telephone book numbers and make it sound majestic. I said this in another thread but China needed to announce that after the lean years with Mao that "they had arrived" and their ceremony did just that. The UK didn't need to do that. They have been at the forefront for centuries now.

[Ziggy]

Frau Muller's favourite Olympic Games was Berlin 1936.

I also hope that Russia and South Korea will have none of that socialist propaganda, glorifying 'multiculturalism' and will instead be a display of military and corporate power, executed with unerring precision.
Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells

(Danny Boyle did an incredible job in capturing the vibrant and quirky British culture.)

Univ. healthcare is nice ... but its Europe in the 21st century. I was wondering whether to expect a tribute to sewerage next.

While British people in general do feel tremendously proud of the NHS, I guess that this part could have felt weird to non-Brits.

[genegri]

I liked the cauldron lighting part. The aerial view was very cool. Definitely the highlight.

I also enjoyed athletes' march as usual.

[berthesghost]

I also hope that Russia and South Korea will have none of that socialist propaganda, glorifying 'multiculturalism' and will instead be a display of military and corporate power, executed with unerring precision.

like slc

While British people in general do feel tremendously proud of the NHS, I guess that this part could have felt weird to non-Brits.

many us folk loved loved loved this part, while I'm sure the other half are furious.

[os168]

Oh I thought the NHS bit was another stroke of genius and am so glad to see it get properly acknowledged that way. It was founded in 1948 the last time London hosted their last Olympics, and Britain were among the firsts to able to recognize all human lives are precious and good health care should be a basic human right - not a privilege. The principle alone by itself is priceless.

I love the fact those involved in the performance were REAL NHS workers who volunteered their own free time after work to do this, each averaging 150 hours for rehearsals. This was in stark contrast with Beijing's effort who involved mostly professional and their own military for the opening.

For your interest, British NHS happen to be the 5th largest employee in the world. It says alot of Britain compare with the Chinese and the US. We save lives, everyone else take lives.

The Chinese Military is the second biggest employee in the world and while the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony were absolutely stunning, the performers were mostly paid workers practiced full time using government money. The other biggest employee in the world include the the US Department of Defense ranked 1st, followed by Walmart in 3rd and McDonalds in 4th.

[Angelskates]

This was in stark contrast with Beijing's effort who involved mostly professionals and their own military for the opening.

I know many, many people who were involved in the opening and closing ceremonies in Beijing, many who also participated. None were paid anything, and none were professional dancers/performers. All practiced after hours. I don't know why so many people think that Beijing performers were all, or mostly, paid. Those I know didn't even get lunch or dinner provided (and though they did get water, it wasn't bottled, it was boiling). All of them wouldn't give up the experience for the world, had a blast and were totally willing to do it all unpaid, much like the volunteers in the London ceremony.

Both Beijing and London were amazing, completely different from each other, and amazing.

"We save lives. Everyone else takes lives"? I know several families who would completely disagree. Just because a system works in one place, doesn't mean it would work everywhere. Australia has Medicare, which I love, but do I think it would work in China? Not in a million years.

I think it's great the ceremony celebrated the NHS, but I don't think it's odd that others found it odd. I know someone completely screwed by the NHS (currently at Mayo Clinic, which is costing a fortune) and believe me, he was not impressed with the display. No system is perfect.

[mazzy]

It says alot of Britain compare with the Chinese and the US. We save lives, everyone else take lives.

GB's clearly too good for the world.

[os168]

I know many, many people who were involved in the opening and closing ceremonies in Beijing, many who also participated. None were paid anything, and none were professional dancers/performers. All practiced after hours. I don't know why so many people think that Beijing performers were all, or mostly, paid. Those I know didn't even get lunch or dinner provided (and though they did get water, it wasn't bottled, it was boiling). All of them wouldn't give up the experience for the world, had a blast and were totally willing to do it all unpaid, much like the volunteers in the London ceremony.

Thanks for correcting me, i apologize if i had the wrong impression, but I saw some clips or articles back then that implied most performers were militarized, and I saw some practices even at the military academy.

Students are obviously not paid because they are free by default. Are you saying there were other volunteers who had jobs who practiced after work?
Good for them, it is a wonderful thing to be involved with the Olympics.

I researched just now, and on the guardian article it says there are 9000 army people involved, and 2488 volunteers in the stadium. If that artist and dancers who rehearsed for 13 months were volunteering on full time and not getting paid, it has got to suck, where did the £20 billion go?

http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2008/08...ning-ceremony/

http://english.chinamil.com.cn/site2...nt_1452946.htm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008...peningceremony

[kwanatic]

Personally, I thought it sucked.

Sorry. I guess I'm just a stupid American, but I was bored and/or confused for most of it. They spent the first 25 minutes rolling out grass . I'm grateful for the announcers explaining what was happening otherwise I'd have been completely lost. The first part wasn't so bad once they put it in context and I thought the melted metal forging of the Olympic rings was neat. The whole Queen/Bond thing wasn't as impressive to me. You know they didn't really jump out of the helicopter... It's nice they had her participate or whatever, but I was less than impressed. Plus, she looked as if she wanted nothing more than to go back to the palace and play with her Corgies...I'm shocked she didn't nod off.

The part with the nurses and kids and storybook stuff was just weird. I get what they were trying to do but it didn't translate well. Mary Poppins defeats Voldemort, as if! The creepy big baby head at the end was weird too. By the time they got to the part of the whole "girl drops her phone and then this happened" MTV on crack music montage, I left to go make dinner.

I did enjoy the Mr. Bean segment and it was cool seeing JK Rowling as well...and the fireworks! As the boat came down the Thames and then after they opened the games, the firework display was awesome. That was the highlight of the whole thing for me. But overall I was underwhelmed and really disappointed. I know it's unfair to compare it to Beijing's opening but I can't help it. The London themes were so disjointed and almost seemed completely random at times. I think the concept, production and execution of Beijing was 10,000,000,000,000 time better than London. It was boring to me. Not a fan...not a fan at all

[AragornElessar]

One thing I've been meaning to ask...

On CTV, they said that Great Ormond Street Hospital was originally funded, and still is partially, by proceeds/royalties (not sure of the proper term here) from the sale of Peter Pan.

Is that true? If so, then I think the next time I'm out, I need to get myself a new copy of it.

[Spareoom]

Yes, that is true...the author turned over the royalties of the book to the hospital so all the proceeding money has gone to them. When you think of how much Disney uses the Peter Pan characters (although I don't know if theirs was a one-time purchase or is on-going) and the various movies that have been made, it's probably a fairly significant amount.

[AragornElessar]

^^Thanks!!

Now I really do need to get a new copy of Peter Pan.

I knew the Peds ward of our hospital *very* well growing up and also spent some time at Sick Kids in Toronto too. I know the work Great Ormond Street does and it's nice to know I can help them out in a small way.

[os168]

Personally, I thought it sucked.
Sorry. I guess I'm just a stupid American, but I was bored and/or confused for most of it.

Haha you said it not me. I guess we can't please them all.

Come to London, I will give you a tour, then you will get it why Danny did such a fabulous job capturing the spirit and the vibe of the City of London and the people of modern day Britain.

I felt Danny deliberate did not go for that old fashioned grandiose version of Britannia; the sort of Merchant Ivory / Charlotte Bronte / Shakespearean / Dickensian / Arthurian legends/fantasy version of Britain everyone has accustomed to and are probably expecting. This is about showing a different side of Britain; the real people, the everyday life, the underdogs, the underrepresented, underappreciated, and to be faithful to the bid of the games: regeneration of Stratford (previously the poorest and unpleasant part of London) and for the youth.

The fact the heartbeats of the ceremony were lead by a deaf lady drummer/percussionist Evelyn Glennie, perhaps indicated just how unique this opening ceremony is trying to be. Other than stay faithful to the concepts, the process of realisation and implementing the work should be as important as the final end result, which are distinctive characteristics of contemporary art in Britain, that would makes its approach very different from the Beijing games and perhaps explains the end result.

This ceremony was designed to showcase a different side of Britain, be it the good, bad, ugly, naughty, silly, happy, wicked, funny, dirty, grimy, crazy, or sad. Where the Queen get to show a sense of humour, can be an action bond girl (Take that Yuna Kim!) and parachuted off a helicopter ahead of Bond (or don't give a f*ck like any 86 years old grandmother who probably just want her rest). Where deaf kids can dress their PJs serenading / signing to the queen not in their Sunday best. Where Mary Poppins can be scarier than Voldermort, Where sick children can go crazy trampolining on hospital beds having a brilliant time while the adults actually encouraging them to have more fun instead of saying 'No. Stop it!!'. Where the NHS and GOSH can get even bigger roles than any Military power or Technology might - typically showcased on these big stately run ceremonies designed to impress foreign dignitaries. Where the construction workers who built the stadium get proper acknowledgement and respect as part of the torch ceremony, while getting high fives from Sir Steve Redgrave as he enters the stadium. Where David Beckham looks cooler than ever and thank gawd didn't speak a word. Where the accomplished youth gets to play the most important roles of the day, getting personal endorsement from sporting legends. Not chosen because of any particular political/commercial/fame favour. The fact it seems an anti climax now means it has a good chance of being remembered as a climax in the future. Where important themes like suffragettes who fought for gender equality (& succeeded since this is the most gender balanced Olympics game ever), the industrial revolution that boosted Fordism, the chaotic cultural shifts like Britain's music anthropology, fashion, dance, were all painted in economical broad brush strokes as part of a choreographed piece rather than dedicated segment presentations inviting for applause.

It is as far removed from the glitz and glam polished traditional finish we usually associated with London and its Savillerow pristineness that only belongs to the wealth and the privileged or in the movies and on TVs in someone's imagination. Danny's organised chaos was one strives to be more genuine, warm, authentic, fun, and messy just like real life, to celebrate joy for the occasion. London is confident in itself, it just want to party. Or in our Queen's words next day on why she did the Bond sequence "..bit of a laugh." It is about having as much fun to take part as to watch. I suspect there might be several inside jokes that have gone right over other's head, but then how many audiences worldwide truly get everything on everything? If it puzzles them, they can do some research and learn something. I often do (maybe too much). In summary, Danny did a great job deconstructing a pandora box of British clichés, and picked the good ones that works for his purpose. If it didn't quite work for everybody, no big deal, there will always be something for somebody, just like London.

One thing I've been meaning to ask...

On CTV, they said that Great Ormond Street Hospital was originally funded, and still is partially, by proceeds/royalties (not sure of the proper term here) from the sale of Peter Pan.

Is that true? If so, then I think the next time I'm out, I need to get myself a new copy of it.

Yup it runs as a charity for sick children way before the NHS has been founded.

http://www.gosh.org/gen/peterpan/his...-the-hospital/

[SHARPIE]

Where David Beckham looks cooler than ever and thank gawd didn't speak a word

Awesome

[genegri]

As the boat came down the Thames and then after they opened the games, the firework display was awesome. That was the highlight of the whole thing for me.

Oh yeah, the boat ride part was also pretty cool. Although I have never cared for Beckham. Too bad the actor who played "Sherlock" didn't make an appearance.

But I have to agree overall I wasn't impressed either.

[Parsley Sage]

Oh yeah, the boat ride part was also pretty cool. Although I have never cared for Beckham. Too bad the actor who played "Sherlock" didn't make an appearance.

Benedict would have been yummy.