This is unquestionably one of the most assured of all Olympic films. The sumptuous Opening Ceremony was master-minded by renowned director Zhang Yimou, and the... film describes in detail how he developed his vision. Director Gu Jun chronicles the individual competitions, but she also ventures beyond China to see athletes preparing for the Games – in Jamaica, Ethiopia, Germany, and Texas. Usain Bolt, double gold medallist in the sprints, became an overnight hero in Beijing, while other favourites failed to reach the medals, due to injury (Xiang Liu, the hurdler) or crashes (Kyle Ray Bennett in the BMX races).

Gu Jun | 101' | 2010