Spoiling Olympic secrets
Much to the dismay of China, a Korean journalist snuck into the Bird’s Nest stadium Monday night and filmed a rehearsal of the Aug. 8 opening ceremonies for the Olympic Games.
As background, the opening ceremonies for the Games have been a huge secret, almost equivalent to military classified information. Leakers have been threatened with seven-year jail terms. China’s most famous filmmaker, Zhang Yimou, put together the three and a half hour show.
So when the two-minute Korean network news spot was posted on YouTube, China jumped to action. First, it leaned on YouTube to block the link. Click here to see what happens when you call up the video. (Please correct me if it's only blocked in China.) Then China ordered domestic video websites to take it down.
That’s the Chinese way: if you have a leak, find out how to make it go away, even if you have to pull out a sledgehammer and drive a stake through its heart.
I saw the video this morning on YouTube before it was taken down, but I’ll excerpt from a Sydney Morning Herald article about what the show contains.
It begins with a countdown and thunderous drums. A giant traditional scroll painting unfurls, revealing a lone rhythmic gymnast.
Other highlights include the projection of larger-than-life whales on a giant screen that appears to run around the entire interior lip of the stadium roof, and dozens of airborne acrobats.
There is also spectacular use of gymnastics in which hundreds of performers synchronise to create moving tableaux. In one scene, thousands of white cubes with people underneath move up and down in waves that suggest the explosive growth of high-rise cities in China.
Great post. The youtube link works fine here in the uk and apparently in the usa too :)
Posted by: david | July 31, 2008 at 07:06 AM
In Britain, her Majesty's Government will have to have a leak inquiry!
In the US, they would have journalist claiming forth estate privileges all the way to the Supreme Court so as to protect their sources in the Executive Branch who "leaked" it to them.
In China... they drive a stake with a sledgehammer?
Have anyone suggested to them to use some garlic instead?
Might work better.
Posted by: A B | July 31, 2008 at 07:47 AM
Stuff like this reminds me that the average emotional quotient of journalists is about 60.
Why does anyone need to know what the show will be like before it is presented? Because it is forbidden? Have some decorum. Grow up a bit.
Posted by: Mark | July 31, 2008 at 09:36 AM
@Tim
Can not see in the USA...Copyright claim by a "third" party...Did not mention the "party"...Any guesses???
Posted by: Stan | July 31, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Having a preview of the ceremony has only increased the excitement and anticipation of the opening ceremony around the world. I am sure even the people who oppose the Olympics will be taking a peak next Friday.
Posted by: Mike | July 31, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Having been accidentally exposed to more than one Chinese variety shows, I think it's imperative that we get a sneak peek to ensure the actual event is not dangerous to your mental well being...don't believe me? That's only because you haven't been watching Chinese television.
All kidding aside, sounds like the opening won't be quite as mind numbing as I feared...
Posted by: Condor | July 31, 2008 at 12:39 PM
@Condor
I have enjoyed wonderful shows on CCTV9
Just past week-end I enjoyed the vintage movie "The Bowery Boys meet Khruschev"..it was followed by a short dedication of the "Gus Hall memorial Firewall"...to top it off I was treated to the hard hitting documentary "How Mao's Cow beat Hu's emu to the Beijing Zoo"
Posted by: Stan | July 31, 2008 at 04:18 PM
Tim,
What's "the American Way" to handle a leak?
Posted by: Pffefer | July 31, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Youtube's taken it down. Page now shows 'This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by a third party.'
Posted by: Chuckles | July 31, 2008 at 05:58 PM
Most probably the copyright claim originated from the IOC.
Look at how tightly they are policing the Olympics souvenirs.
Not even the Cantonese dare to knock that stuff off...
The International Olympics Committee is worst than Stalin's secret police.
Posted by: A B | July 31, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Ohhh. At least the performers are wearing hanfu (authentic Chinese dress), not some manchurian dress.
Posted by: Relax | August 02, 2008 at 02:27 PM
It is good to see the Chinese trying to enforce their intellectual rights to the broadcast of the Olympic games.
Pirating of this film rehearsal is forbidden and is investigated by the PLA. This crime is punishable up to 5 years in prison and a 2 million yuan fine.
Sound familiar?
Posted by: Marvin L Foushee | August 02, 2008 at 09:42 PM
Don't think the Chinese have the rights to broadcast the games. NBC is broadcasting in the U.S, the CBC in Canada, etc. Think the IOC manages broadcast rights.
Posted by: Eve | August 05, 2008 at 03:54 PM