So that's why Spielberg was here

Well at least this Shanghaiist still believes that he was here. You see Zhang Yimou, the director of such great films as Raise the Red Lantern, and such absolutely, incredibly, indescribably awful films such as Hero and House of Flying Daggers (even if he did make a superb casting choice with a certain cast member) has been appointed to design the opening and closing ceremonies for the Beijing Olympics, and Spielberg has been appointed as an "overseas advisor". Which is weird. Firstly because it is just ... weird ... and secondly because we had presumed that they would want the whole thing done "all Chinese".

"It's a great honour to accept this appointment as an overseas adviser," said Spielberg, whose most recent film Munich was based on the events in the aftermath of the murder of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics. "On behalf of all the other advisers, I'd like to say that our one goal is to give the world a taste of peace, friendship, co-operation and understanding."

Amen to that, Stevie. Amen to that.

Photo of the 2004 Olympic opening ceremony, from Flying by Foy.