Setting fire to Boris Johnson’s hair

Did you watch the Olympic Opening Ceremony last night? I’m not much of a sports fan, but these kinds of events are fun. The Zhang Yimou designed extravaganza looked a lot like his films: romantic, nostalgic, and extraordinarily beautiful.  I’m amazed how the Chinese dare to give such a lot of responsibility (and money) to one individual director.  Only the French do the same.  Everywhere else the vision of the individual creator is always ruined by nervous, veto-wielding, committees.

• Interestingly, there were no references to Communism in the show.  The 2008 Olympics is surely the rebirth of a new, post-Communist — if not necessarily more democratic — China.
• Interestingly, Bush dared to show his face at a gathering of people he has spent the last 8 years antagonizing.  Apparently it didn’t worry him that some of the athletes have a very steady aim indeed.

London will obviously never be able to put on a similar show in 2012.  The Brits can’t take these kinds of ceremonies seriously.  They lack the passion and the vision.  The Millennium Dome fiasco in 2000 provides plenty of evidence.  Besides, the technology will inevitably fail.  Surely British Gas will forget to turn on the gas for the Olympic flame …

Instead London has to put on a show which plays to British strengths.  Something funny, ironic, or just plain weird.  They should let the Monty Python (or the League of Gentlemen) direct it.  And as grand finale they could set fire to London mayor, Boris Johnson’s, hair.