Director Zhang Yimou will begin shooting a heart-wrenching romance set in China in the 1970s, the Guangzhou Daily reports.

Zhang will direct the production of "Shan Zha Shu Zhi Lian," literally "Romance under a Hawthorn Tree," next year.

Adapted from a 2008 bestselling novel "Hawthorn Tree Forever," the story revolves around a great unfulfilled love in around 1975 between two "zhiqing," or young, educated urban people sent to the countryside for re-education during China's decade long "cultural revolution."

Known as a period of poverty and passion, the "cultural revolution" has left an indelible mark on the memories of many people. The novel, which is said to depict the purest love in history, reportedly attracted a handful of directors such as Feng Xiaogang, Li Yang and Yin Lichuan, who all contended for the right to rewrite and adapt it as a screenplay. It is believed that Zhang, a cinematographer-turned-director, will bring his outstanding filming skills to the project, the newspaper report said.

Zhang will likely incorporate some of his own experiences with falling in love as a "zhiqing," the report said, citing an unnamed insider who has worked with the director for years.

Casting will be difficult because many actors want to get involved in the project. Fans have suggested that actress Sun Li and actor Liu Ye would be a good match for the story.

The film is tentatively slated for screening by the next National Day holiday or by the end of 2010.

Zhang will embark on a Nanjing massacre-themed film following "Hawthorn Tree," the report said.

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