Most portraits of Confucius seen today are based on the depiction by Wu Daozi, a painter of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). The philosopher is shown as a tall old man sporting a long beard. He looks learned and amiable.
In September 2006, the Confucius Federation released a "standard portrait of Confucius". While still based on the painting by Wu Daozi, the philosopher is portrayed as a gentle old man in a robe, with a square face, broad mouth, big ears and long beard.
It created quite a stir. Some slammed it saying every one has his or her own conception of Confucius and the idea of a "standard portrait" is meaningless.
Some felt the federation was just out to make money as it claimed the portrait's copyright and reportedly said it would charge those who made use of the image.
Whether or not Chow makes a convincing Confucius remains to be seen, but director Hu is ready for all reactions.
"It is impossible to avoid controversy when you are making a film abut Confucius," she says. "This is the first film about Confucius, making it a double-edged sword. On the one hand, no one is totally confident criticizing my choice as none of them has seen Confucius; on the other, everybody is deeply concerned about this film, which is kind of stressful."
Quest for cultural identity
Emperor Han Wudi (141-86 BC) of the Han Dynasty (206 BC- AD 220) chose Confucianism as the dominant ideology to govern the country.
The doctrine came under the influence of Buddhism, which entered China in AD 67, but retained its pre-dominance over the centuries until the Song Dynasty (960-1279), when the school of Neo-Confucians led by scholar Zhu Xi gave it a new interpretation.
The Neo-Confucians combined Confucianism with Taoist and Buddhist ideas to create a more complete methodology.
The Confucianism of the 19th and 20th century derives mainly from Neo-Confucianism.
During the May 4th Movement in 1919, Confucianism was criticized for impeding the country's modernization.
The doctrine came under further stress during the "cultural revolution" (1966-76), when it became associated with feudal society.
The philosopher's teachings have been seeing a revival in recent years, however, as Chinese people become more concerned about their cultural identity and spiritual life in a society whose amazing advancement has had a deep impact on its core values.
Books on Confucianism are quite popular. A 104-episode cartoon biopic on the revered figure will also hit the small screen in September.
Some kindergartens and elementary schools are offering courses on Confucianism, while others have suggested celebrating the great thinker's birthday as Teacher's Day.
Yu Dan, a professor of Beijing Normal University, became a media star after she gave lectures on The Analects, one of Confucius' works, on TV.
The Chinese government has named its overseas cultural institute after Confucius. By March 2009, there were 256 Confucius Institutes in 81 countries worldwide.
But Li Ling, a Peking University professor, is among those calling for a cooling down of the "Confucius fever". In his hit book Stray Dog: Reading The Analects, he reminds people that Confucius was an accomplished scholar, not god.
Story contributed by Liu Wei
Editro: Liu Fang
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