Source: IMDb and Box Office Mojo

Source: IMDb and Box Office Mojo

The coincidence between "The Nativity Story's" narrative and the actress' pregnancy is not lost on the movie's director, Catherine Hardwicke. She told the Independent Online: "From the beginning I sensed a kind of old soul in her, she's very deep. Her mom also just had a baby who's about two months old, so the baby will have an uncle who's only a couple of months older - just like John the Baptist was to Jesus. And Keisha's boyfriend is in construction so he's a carpenter too. The whole thing's pretty wild!”

Many bloggers say the director's comments were a little much as well. “Obviously she is worried about a backlash but talk about over-compensation...Please! I'm waiting her for to claim that three wise men showed up! I’m waiting her for to claim that three wise men showed up at the filming,” a blogger at No God Zone writes.

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Hardwicke had cast the 16-year-old as the Virgin Mary in her latest film, The Nativity Story, about the birth of Jesus.

News broke of Australian-born Castle-Hughes' pregnancy weeks before the film's global release.

"Yeah, I was surprised," Hardwicke told AAP in Los Angeles.

Read full Interview Here

Read full Interview Here

Ironically the young star wasn't expecting her baby with long-time boyfriend Bradley Hull when she was selected by the filmmakers for the role.

Director Catherine Hardwicke along with producers Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen were determined to give the film an authentic Middle Eastern feel and Keisha's Maori heritage gave her the right look.

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Christian websites in the US and Canada have questioned the 16-year-old New Zealander's "suitability" to play the mother of Christ in The Nativity Story because she is pregnant to her Auckland boyfriend, Bradley Hull, 19.

But a spokesman for the Papal Council for Culture has told the Times of London Castle-Hughes is "not expected to be a saint herself, only to do her work as an actress properly".

Castle-Hughes has said she is too busy to attend the premiere. The film opens in NZ on Thursday.

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Keisha Castle Hughes rose to fame in 2002's Whale Rider

It is the story of a young woman who finds herself unexpectedly pregnant. The birth takes place against a dramatic background and makes its mark on history.

The plot of The Nativity Story is familiar enough. But the parallels between the lives of the Virgin Mary and the teenage actress who plays her in the first feature film to be premiered at the Vatican are causing controversy

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Hollywood is in a born-again mode with its rediscovery that Biblical epics can bring manna at the boxoffice. In New Line Cinema's "The Nativity Story" we have the first smart, artistically and spiritually satisfying film to emerge from this trend. The familiar story, iconic aspects of which will decorate many front lawns during the next few weeks, unfolds in a scrupulously accurate historical adventure story that depicts the world of Jesus' birth with an exciting you-are-there verisimilitude.

Young Keisha Castle-Hughes (an Oscar nominee for "Whale Rider") plays not so much the Virgin Mary but a gutsy young woman born to an honorable though struggling Jewish family in Nazareth, who handles miracles and hardships with a tough-minded spirit. When a diaphanous Archangel Gabriel puts in appearances, we're clearly in the realm of mythology. But the movie, written by Mike Rich and directed by Catherine Hardwicke, sticks as close as possible to a realistic account of the Christ child's birth.

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The 16-year-old, who confirmed last month that she was pregnant, plays the role of Mary in the film, which is due to open in New Zealand on November 30 and to have its world premiere at the Vatican on November 26.

Castle-Hughes was nominated for a best actress Oscar for Whale Rider in 2004 when she was 13.

The San Francisco Chronicle said Castle-Hughes could be nominated again on January 23. It listed her as a contender for best actress alongside veterans Helen Mirren, Meryl Streep, Dame Judi Dench and Julie Christie, as well as Naomi Watts, Cate Blanchett and Penelope Cruz.

Source Stuff.Co.Nz

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"With the release of 'The Nativity Story,' Hollywood is finally putting Jesus Christ back into Christmas," said Dr. Ted Baehr, chairman of the Christian Film & Television Commission, in a released statement today.

Catering more towards Christian audiences and other faith groups, Hollywood – which Time magazine dubbed "Holywood" in its latest issue – is getting ready for the nationwide release of a film narrating the birth of Jesus Christ. "The Nativity Story" heads to more than 3,000 theaters on Dec. 1.

Read full story Here

Read full story Here

Castle-Hughes plays the role of Mary in the movie directed by Catherine Hardwicke.

It's the first feature film to have a Vatican premiere.

Promoters said it would be attended by Hardwicke, actors Shohreh Aghdashloo and Oscar Isaac, producers Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey, screenwriter Mike Rich, and 7000 invited guests of the Vatican.

Read Full Story: Xtra

The 16-year-old, who confirmed last month that she was pregnant, plays the role of Mary in the film, which is due to open in New Zealand on November 30 and to have its world premiere at the Vatican on November 26.

Castle-Hughes was nominated for a best actress Oscar for Whale Rider in 2004 when she was 13.

The San Francisco Chronicle said Castle-Hughes could be nominated again on January 23. It listed her as a contender for best actress alongside veterans Helen Mirren, Meryl Streep, Dame Judi Dench and Julie Christie, as well as Naomi Watts, Cate Blanchett and Penelope Cruz.

Source Stuff.Co.Nz

Read full story Here

"With the release of 'The Nativity Story,' Hollywood is finally putting Jesus Christ back into Christmas," said Dr. Ted Baehr, chairman of the Christian Film & Television Commission, in a released statement today.

Catering more towards Christian audiences and other faith groups, Hollywood – which Time magazine dubbed "Holywood" in its latest issue – is getting ready for the nationwide release of a film narrating the birth of Jesus Christ. "The Nativity Story" heads to more than 3,000 theaters on Dec. 1.

Read full story Here

Read full story Here

Castle-Hughes plays the role of Mary in the movie directed by Catherine Hardwicke.

It's the first feature film to have a Vatican premiere.

Promoters said it would be attended by Hardwicke, actors Shohreh Aghdashloo and Oscar Isaac, producers Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey, screenwriter Mike Rich, and 7000 invited guests of the Vatican.

Read Full Story: Xtra

The Vatican, accustomed to housing large spiritual events, will house the world premiere of "The Nativity Story," the new film from the director of "Lords of Dogtown" and "thirteen." Not surprisingly, this is will be the first feature film to premiere in the heart of the Catholic Church.

The not-so-holy event will take place on Sunday, Nov. 26, just ahead of the film's scheduled Dec. 1 release in the United States. Among the luminaries expected to attend are director Catherine Hardwicke, actors Shohreh Aghdashloo and Oscar Isaac, producers Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey, screenwriter Mike Rich, and 7,000 invited guests of the Vatican.

Not included on the guest list is the film's 16-year-old (and pregnant) star Keisha Castle-Hughes.

"We are very proud of The Nativity Story and extremely grateful that the Vatican has embraced the film in this way," says New Line's President and COO of Worldwide Distribution and Marketing Rolf Mittweg. "We believe 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 event will serve as a benefit for the construction of a school in the village of Mughar, Israel, 40 kilometers from Nazareth.

Source: Zap2it

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TONI Colette's latest film project, Hey, Hey It's Esther Blueburger, has begun filming in Adelaide.

The coming-of-age comedy is about a young Jewish girl's adventures as she navigates the pressures of family, school and her impending Bat Mitzvah.

Also starring Whale Rider's Keisha Castle-Hughes and Essie Davis, the film will introduce unknown 13-year-old actor Danielle Catanzariti to the big screen.

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The birth of Christ is told in dramatic fashion in "The Nativity Story," starring Keisha Castle-Hughes ("Whale Rider") as the Virgin Mary.

"It is kind of a contrast to the usually funny holiday fare and the other more violent movies you get around the holidays. Maybe it'll be an antidote to that. It's not a cynical approach. It's really quite pure in a way," said "Nativity Story" director Catherine Hardwicke, whose credits include the acclaimed teen drama "thirteen."

"It does eventually seem to take you to a spiritual place, a more sacred place by the end of the movie."

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The Nativity Story" chronicles the arduous journey of two people, Mary (Keisha Castle-Hughes) and Joseph (Oscar Isaac), a miraculous pregnancy, and the history-defining birth of Jesus. In a small village, a young girl lives the last teenage years. To escape the harsh conditions of family life, her parents hope to marry her. Everything was prepared for this important event when suddenly her fate takes a different turn: The Angel Gabriel comes to Mary and announces that she will have a child like no other women ever did. Thus the most extraordinary story of Humanity is about to be unfold …

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It is absurd for Keisha's agent, Gail Cowan, to insist the baby will have no effect on the teenager's career, or public image -- not least in America, where she is below the legal age of consent in most states. Pregnancy and raising a child, while still a child oneself, and in a job that requires mobility, and long days and weeks of concentration and commitment, will unavoidably have a huge effect on Keisha or the baby -- and probably both. This will be true even with the cushion of a sizeable income and, assuming he is around for the long haul, the hands-on assistance of father and former fellow-Penrose High pupil Bradley Hull.

Read Full Article Here

Thrust into the spotlight at 13 as the youngest actress to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar - for her role in Whale Rider - the Auckland teenager now has a whale of a job ahead of her as a mother after becoming pregnant at age 16.

New Zealand and the United States have the developed world's highest rate of teenage pregnancy.

Figures revealed this week at a child health summit show that for every Kiwi teenager who gives birth, another terminates her pregnancy.

But despite the concerns of some, including her grandmother, Castle-Hughes and boyfriend Bradley Hull, 19, say they are happy at the prospect of becoming parents.

And the Family Planning Association says there is no reason why they can't do a good job of it. Its national medical adviser, Christine Roke, said girls of 16 were emotionally capable of being mothers.

"It depends a lot on maturity. Being in the public eye can often make people mature quicker than average."

Read Full Article: NZ Herald

The 16-year-old Kiwi actress' pregnancy has sparked widespread media coverage, as she prepared to do interviews to promote her role as the Virgin Mary in the film The Nativity Story.

But her agent, Gail Cowan, yesterday hit back at those saying the Whale Rider star was too young for motherhood. The issue of Castle-Hughes' age was strictly "personal", she said.

"I don't believe the public have a `right to know' and nor do they have a `right to an opinion' here.

"There is a wonderful old expression `empty vessels make the most noise' and it would appear that a lot of these listen and contribute to talkback programmes."

Ms Cowan said the actress was currently overseas on a family holiday with her mother Desrae Hughes. She would not confirm whether the baby's father, 19-year-old Bradley Hull, was with them.

The agent dismissed suggestions the pregnancy might damage Castle-Hughes' burgeoning career.

"Keisha is a great actress – pregnancy does not curtail one's ability to act."

Read Full Article: Stuff.Co.Nz

When the Herald asked if all the family were happy at the pregnancy, Kinnie Hughes had reservations.

"No, I'm not. She's very young and it's a bit of a shock to the family."

She would not comment further, other than to confirm that Keisha was overseas filming and her mother, Desrae Hughes, was with her.

Castle-Hughes' agent, Gail Cowan, told the Herald on Sunday the actress and her boyfriend of three years, Bradley Hull, were "totally" happy about the baby, due next autumn.

It also reported other family members as shrugging off concerns about her age. She turns 17 in March.

Read Full Article: NZ Herald

The Auckland teenager, who played feisty Paikea in one of New Zealand's most successful films, Whale Rider, is to give birth next year to her first child after a three-year romance with childhood sweetheart, Bradley Hull, 19.

And Castle-Hughes' New Zealand agent Gail Cowan says the couple couldn't be happier.

"They are extremely happy about it. Totally. It's a baby," Cowan told the Herald on Sunday yesterday.

Family members spoken to yesterday said Hull was genuinely excited about the pregnancy.

"Who cares if she is only 16?" said one family member, who did not wish to be named.

But others aren't so sure whether Castle-Hughes and Hull quite understand what lies in store for them.

National MP Paula Bennett, a mother at 17, said whichever way you looked at the situation, 16 was far too young to have a baby.

Read Full Article: Here

It is hoped the news Whale Rider star Keisha Castle-Hughes is pregnant will not hurt her future as an actress.

The 16-year-old is expecting her first child in autumn.

The father is her New Zealand boyfriend of three years, 19-year-old Bradley Hull.

Whale Rider producer John Barnett admits he is surprised, but does not think the pregnancy will put the actress out of work.

He jokes it could have been an immaculate conception, as Keisha Castle-Hughes is playing the Virgin Mary in the upcoming film The Nativity Story.

New Zealand Family Planning executive director Jackie Edmond says the actress could prove to be a good role model to young mums.

However she says it would be concerning if the 16-year-old's pregnancy encouraged other teenagers to follow suit.

Source: TVNZ

Oscar-nominated actress Keisha Castle-Hughes, 16, is reportedly expecting a child with her boyfriend of three years, Bradley Hull, 19.

The Whale Rider star is due this spring with what will be her first child, according to People. There's no word yet on the sex of the baby.

Castle-Hughes reportedly began dating Hull three years ago--but for what it's worth, she has already lived quite an accelerated decade and a half.

Read Full Story: E! Online

The movie opens Dec. 1, but the studio has previewed it for biblical scholars and Frank Wright, the influential president of the National Religious Broadcasters.

On the Web site for the film, it is described by reviewers as "visually stunning," and, as if directly addressing believers, "historically authentic and biblically faithful."

Read Full Article: Here

The film tells the story of Pai, an 11-year-old girl from the Whangara tribe on the Eastern shore of New Zealand. Pai believes she is destined to be the next chief of her tribe, though the tribe has never had a female chief. Her grandfather, Koro is given the task of choosing a new leader and must, as tradition says, pick a male leader in this largely patriarchal tribe.

"Pai loves Koro more than anyone in the world, but she must fight him and a thousand years of tradition to fulfill her destiny," according to the Internet Movie Database. The movie was nominated for 28 awards, winning 25.

Read Full Article: Here

"I want to be an actress for the rest of my life. I love it," the 14-year-old said.

The unknown, from Murray Bridge in South Australia, beat 3,000 teenage girls in a nation-wide search to play the lead role of Esther Blueburger in Australian feature film, Hey Hey Its Esther Blueburger.

The film goes into production in Adelaide on September 18 on a budget of $6 million.

It stars Australian-born Colette and New Zealand's Whale Rider Oscar nominee, Castle-Hughes.

Still shocked at her achievement, Catanzariti is excited about working with two of her acting idols.

"I knew both of them were going to be in it (the film) and that made me more determined to get it (the part)," Catanzariti said.

"I am very excited to see them both. I hope to learn about their experiences on what they have done and how they started to learn to act."

Read Full Article: Here