Brokeback director joins Olympics team

Gay cowboy movie director Ang Lee has been named as a consultant for the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

The Brokeback Mountain Oscar winner was named this week along with honorary president of the Chinese Olympic Committee and International Olympic Committee member He Zhenliang, and composer Wu Zuqiang, to be culture and art consultants for the creation of the opening and closing ceremonies of the event.

The Taiwanese-born filmmaker won an Academy Award this year for best director. He is the first Asian recipient of the accolade.

China banned screenings of Brokeback Mountain because of its “sensitive” content.

The Beijing Olympics start on August 8 2008.