DIRECTOR Catherine Hardwicke turns from gritty tales of American teenage angst in Thirteen and Dogs Of Lordtown to tell the story of Mary and Joseph in a movie following their journey to Bethlehem and a very important birth.

The movie had its premiere at the Vatican but has received more publicity for the fact that its unmarried 16-year-old leading lady Keisha Castle-Hughes (from New Zealand film Whale Rider) is pregnant herself.

Running time: 101 mins