After a dubious movie adaptation of The Crescent Moon over 10 years ago, director couple Huo Zhuang and Xu Xiaoxing are set to make a TV version of Lao She's signature short story. On Sunday, Huo Zhuang and the cast met with the press at the China Modern Literature Hall.

The TV drama entitled The Crescent Moon and Sunshine will be a compilation of three of Lao She's short stories, The Crescent Moon, Sunshine and A Vision.

As the most famous of the three, The Crescent Moon tells the tragic story of a mother and daughter living in the early 1900's. Both have been reduced to prostitution, but hold true to their dreams of a spirit as pure as the moon.

Director Huo Zhuang has high hopes for the TV adaptation of The Crescent Moon. His movie version over 10 years ago was criticized by Shu Yi, the late author's son, for containing unfaithful changes.

Director Huo Zhuang said, "After the movie, I always felt there was something missing there and I wasn't happy about it. It has always weighed on my mind. And I hope I can do better this time. "

The drama will hit TV screens this October.

(CCTV.com March 25, 2004)