Maori Mary’s Nativity

Keisha Castle-Hughes’ new film The Nativity Story opened to praise from the Vatican at its world premiere, when the film was greeted with applause by an audience of more than 7,000 at the Vatican’s Pope Paul VI auditorium. Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican’s secretary of state, described the film as a faithful representation of the gospel accounts of the birth of Jesus Christ: “It is well done. It reproposes this event which changed history with realism but also with a sense of great respect of the mystery of the Nativity.” The Vatican’s endorsement of the film is seen as significant in light of 16-year old Castle-Hughes’ pregnancy, announced in October. The Maori actress of Whale Rider fame was joined in her starring role by a truly multi-cultural cast, including actor Oscar Isaac of Guatemalan heritage, playing Joseph, and Shohreh Aghdashloo, a Muslim actress playing Mary’s cousin Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. The Nativity Story was released in the US and most other countries on 1 December to decidedy mixed reviews.