Culture

Spielberg quits as Beijing Olympics adviser, over Darfur

by Jarrett Martineau | February 12, 2008 at 05:33 pm

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Mia Farrow must be very happy that her efforts to bring attention to the genocide in Darfur have yielded such high profile results. Spielberg, upon announcing his resignation, joined Farrow in an international "Global Day of Action" for Darfur.

Steven Spielberg, in a highly symbolic gesture sure to rattle the Chinese
government, pulled out of the Beijing Olympics yesterday to protest at
China's backing for Sudan's policy in Darfur.

The Oscar-winning director of "Schindler's List" about the Holocaust
announced he was withdrawing as an artistic adviser for the opening ceremony
of this summer's games.

"I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue business as
usual," Spielberg said in a statement.

Spielberg's decision followed a determined campaign by fellow Hollywood figure
Mia Farrow to shame him into cutting his ties to the Olympics over Darfur,
where more than 200,000 have been killed and 2.5 million people driven from
their homes.

His withdrawal will embarrass the Chinese government, which has sought to
limit the fall-out from its close ties to the Islamic government in Sudan.