Shortly after announcing three new projects, Chinese director Jia Zhangke has revealed his plan to make a film about a demolished factory in the southwestern city of Chengdu.

The film will be entitled Story of 24 Cities, and is expected to begin shooting soon, said the Asian Film Awards Best Director at a Sunday press conference.

The story will revolve around three generations of women whose working lives in Chengdu's Factory 420 reflect the modernization process of the city.

The factory was replaced by a housing development named 24 Cities in 2006.

Given the fact that the unnamed real estate developer is one of the film's investors, many suspect this will be the art-house director's first attempt to tap into commercial films.

Jia Zhangke denied the rumor on Sunday, explaining he originally visited the developer because he wanted his movie to be shot on location. The developer showed great interest in his film and became an investor.

The director said accurately portraying factory workers is a long-term goal and that his artistic ideas will not be controlled or influenced by any investors.

He has also reportedly invited local female poet Zhai Yongming to work with him on the screenplay, hoping to portray realistic and hitting-home women characters.

Jia Zhangke's films have long been recognized for their depiction of everyday people. His most famous work, Still Life, is about two separated couples in the Yangtze River town of Fengjie. It won the Golden Lion award at last year's Venice Film Festival.

(CRI.cn April 2, 2007)