When directors aren't busy dealing with the stress of helming a feature-length film, sometimes they like to unwind by popping off a little short film.

Witness this year's art-house hit Paris, Je t’aime for the proof on that.

And now, a less winsome, more activist-minded anthology film is in the works, titled simply 8.

The project involves eight directors focusing on various international crises, including hunger, poverty, education, child mortality, and the shortage of adequate drinking water in developing nations.

Gay director Gus Van Sant, acclaimed filmmaker Jane Campion (The Piano), Oscar-winning actor and sometimes director Sean Penn, and controversial French director Gaspar Noe (Irreversible) will all participate, with Noe tackling AIDS in a short called SIDA.

It might not sound like a lot of laughs, but with these directors on board, you know it's going to be compelling viewing. Look for 8 in art-houses sometime in 2008.

Last update: 11-30-2007 17:35