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Russell Crowe, Toni Collette, Liev Schreiber Directing Australian Anthology

Alex Proyas, David Michôd and Anthony LaPaglia also contributing.

Russell Crowe and Liev Schreiber are just two names who will be directing shorts for an anthology of Australian film.

Director John Polson has assembled a host of talent for his Sydney Unplugged project, which he hopes will be an ode to the city in the vein of Paris Je T'aime and New York Stories.

The Hollywood Reporter reveal Anthony LaPaglia and Toni Collette will be making their directorial debuts alongside some hot names in Australian cinema. Other contributors include Alex Proyas (Knowing), David Michôd (Animal Kingdom), Ivan Sen (Toomelah), John Curran (The Painted Veil), Kieran Darcy-Smith (Wish You Were Here), Rachel Ward (Beautiful Kate) and Ray Lawrence (Lantana).

In a statement Polson said: "It’s no secret some hugely talented directors, actors and others either live here or are from here. It’s about time this talent got together to tell stories that showcase one of the world’s most beautiful cities. The people that have stepped up to take part in this project are beyond our wildest dreams."

Sydney Unplugged will shoot later this year for release by Icon Film Distribution in 2013, and sold internationally by Arclight Films.

Polson is the director of Tenderness, Hide and Seek, Swimfan and several episodes of Flashforward and The Mentalist. He's also the founder of Tropfest, the world's largest short film festival.