The Analects, the Bible of Confucianism, will be made into a digital movie for show on the Internet.
It could also be made into a film if the digital version succeeds.
Confucianism, enshrined by Chinese feudal rulers as the orthodox school of thought from the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD24 ), has dominated Chinese society and started spread to Europe in late 16th century.
Yu Wenyi, the movie's screenwriter and director, considers his work a "super movie."
The Internet movie should be ready by the end of the year for paid viewing, Yu said Saturday.
The Analects is a book on the statements of Confucius (551-479 BC) compiled by his disciples.
The classic statements will be adapted to stories on the basis of Confucius' spirit in the movie.
It will depict Confucius' life in his late years, the demolition of Confucianism in the early 20th century, the political movements against Confucianism during the Cultural Revolution, and the booming tourism industry in Confucius' home town, Qufu, in east China's Shandong Province.
The producer will consider shooting a theatrical film after measuring the movie's success on the Internet, and place more emphasis on screen effects, according to Yu.
"Producing a 'super movie' by stages can avoid the investment risks of the traditional film industry and help more people realize their dreams of shooting movies, and thus profit the industry's development," he said.
The Internet movie of The Analects, scheduled to start shooting this month, is estimated to cost 300,000 yuan (US$37,000), Yu said.
Confucianism advocates benevolence and courtesy among people.
It was banished from mainstream culture in China in the early and middle parts of the 20th century, as revolutionaries were eager to break away from the old and the past. But it has regained popularity in present-day China.
(Xinhua News Agency October 3, 2005)
