Portrayed in a female-directed feature film for the first time, ancient philosopher Confucius' cinematic debut is expected to showcase the influence of Chinese culture on domestic film makers and boost their confidence.

"Confucius", presented by the China Film Group Corp. (CFGC) and Dadi Century Ltd., is due to start shooting in late November and be released around Oct. 1, 2009, as a salute to the 60th founding anniversary of New China, said CFGC president Han Sanping here on Monday.

Director Hu Mei, acclaimed for several historical TV series, vowed to depict the life and soul of Confucius using modern insight and methods.

"Confucius exists as a saint in too many people's hearts. Almost every Chinese remembers his famous sayings, but not everyone can see him as an ordinary person and imagine his daily life," said Hu, who graduated from the Beijing Film Academy along with film veteran Zhang Yimou in 1982.

She said casting was still under way.

The project's significance goes beyond the film itself, since China has a rising influence on the international economy and geopolitics, Liu Rong, Dadi Century general manager, said.

"I'm sure it will be influential for a long time in the Chinese film history," he said, adding that the state-owned film powerhouse CFGC would exert its best efforts to produce, promote and distribute the film.

The movie, estimated to cost 150 million yuan (about 22 million U.S. dollars), will have a very dramatic plot, said screenwriter Chan Khan.

Aspects of the plot include the character's travel to many fiefdoms to persuade lords to adopt his political theories, and a time when he didn't eat for seven days while a vagrant.

"I was deeply touched by his never-give-up personality when I wrote the screenplay," Chan said.

Zhang Hongsen, a senior official with the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, said featuring Confucius in a film is a long-cherished ambition of Chinese film makers.

"It's very important to pass on and promote traditional Chineseculture, and it's the responsibility of our film makers," he added.

Dadi Century executive director John Sham said kung fu and Confucius are two good symbols to promote Chinese culture to the Western world.

"It is unnecessary to explain 'Confucius said ...' to Western people at all," said the veteran Hong Kong film maker.

He added that some Confucian theories of filial piety were practiced in his own family, such as his daughter serving tea to her parents on her own birthday to show appreciation for their love and care.

CFGC expected the film to touch Chinese audiences and attract those who seldom go to the cinema.

"We Chinese film makers are pursuing our nationality and national spirit by depicting the life of the country's greatest historical figure," director Hu said.

"I hope most Chinese people can accept the Confucius that they see in this movie," she added.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2008)