'Nativity' heads to Vatican

Religious drama 'The Nativity Story' will have its world premiere in the Pope Paul VI Hall

Nov 15 2006

There is no shortage of films about Popes, from last year's reverential 'Karol: The Man Who Became Pope' to 1991's more sacrilegious 'The Pope Must Die'. But those who inhabit the pontifical chambers have never been known as cinefiles.

It may come as a surprise then that New Line have announced that the world premiere of 'The Nativity Story' will take place in the Vatican. The film will be screened in the Pope Paul VI Hall and attended by the director, cast and some 7000 invited guests of the Vatican.

Rolf Mittweg, president of New Line's Worldwide Distribution and Marketing said 'We believe that it is the perfect venue to present the film's universal message of hope and faith, a message we are sure will resonate around the world.'

The film tells the tale, rather predictably, of the journey to Bethlehem and the birth in a stable. A solid cast is headed by Keisha Castle-Hughes ('Whale Rider') and Shohreh Aghdashloo ('House of Sand and Fog').

'The Nativity Story' will be in UK cinemas from December 8.