Chen to direct earthquake short

'One 2008th' to feature Yao Ming, Liu Xiang

By CLIFFORD COONAN

BEIJING -- Chinese helmer Chen Kaige will take time out from post-production on his latest project "Mei Lanfang" to direct a short about the Sichuan earthquake, featuring China's biggest sport stars.

Shanghai Media Group said Chen would shoot "One 2008th" with Houston Rocket's Shanghai-born basketball player Yao Ming and Olympic gold medal hurdler Liu Xiang. Pic is aimed at "highlighting the Chinese people's perseverance in the face of difficulties."

SMG Arts Director Tian Ming said the sport celebs had agreed to give their time for free as a gesture of support for victims of the quake, which has claimed some 70,000 lives so far and left 5 million homeless.

The earthquake has prompted a massive outpouring of support from the biz in China, and a number of documentaries and films are in the works, as well as fund-raising songs and concerts.