The earthquake that hit Japan in March earlier this year was one of the most devastating disasters, natural or otherwise, in recent history. It won’t come as a huge surprise to anyone that there are plans to develop a movie chronicling the events. However, it is not going to be a feature film as you might expect. Instead, plans have been announced to make a 1 hour long project made up of 60 different short films, 40 of which are to be (appropriately) helmed by Japanese directors. [10 Asia]

One big name has signed up however, and that is South Korean director Bong Joon-ho. This is a promising sign that the people behind it want to make it a success as Bong Joon-ho is easily one of the best directors working in East Asia today. Behind such films as Memories of Murder and Mother, he shall direct a 3-minute segment of the project which is set to play at the Sendai Short Film Festival and Nara International film festival this fall.

Here’s to hoping for to a respectful tribute which is certainly not out of the question, I sincerely doubt this is a project aimed at making money out of a horrible tragedy (something that has become an unwelcome occurrence in Hollywood). People were dubious at the announcement of a film being made on 9/11, but Paul Greengrass‘ United 93 turned out to be one of the best movies of the decade. This, of course, is a different spin of things with 60 short films being developed for an hour long project but I suspect it could be something to look out for.

Are you a fan of Bong Joon-Ho? What do you think of a film being made on the Japan Earthquake?