User talk:Willwan1985

<> The Nativity Story chronicles the arduous journey of two people, Mary and Joseph, a miraculous pregnancy, and the history-defining birth of Jesus. This dramatic and compelling story comes to life in a major motion picture starring Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider) as Mary, Oscar Isaac (Guerrilla) as Joseph, and Academy Award nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo (House of Sand and Fog) as Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. The Nativity Story is directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen, Lord of Dogtown) from a screenplay by Mike Rich (The Rookie, Finding Forrester). It is scheduled for a December release. The filmmakers are bringing an unprecedented level of commitment to ensure the authenticity not only of the Nativity story itself, but of the film’s look as well. Director Catherine Hardwicke, a former production designer, was adamant that every detail from the locations, to the sets, to the props, look and feel authentic. As a result, Hardwicke, writer Mike Rich, and production designer Stefano Ortolani spent countless hours researching the era. “We got the script into the hands of as many historians and theologians as possible,” says screenwriter Mike Rich. “They have all helped elevate the authentic feel of this film, not only visually, but from a stand point of culture and tradition.” Because the actual location of Bethlehem and Nazareth have become fairly modernized over the years, the production decided to shoot in the village of Matera, Italy which has been virtually unchanged for centuries (and was previously used as a location for THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST). Additionally, the production journeyed to Ouarzazate, Morocco where it shot scenes involving Herod’s castle and the temple of Jerusalem at the same locations used in such films as GLADIATOR and KINGDOM OD HEAVEN. “This story means so much to people all over the world. I hope audiences can relate to the film on a personal level and find some inspiration to get through their own challenges and difficulties,” says director Catherine Hardwicke.