Pregnant star misses Vatican gala
The teenage star of a film about the Nativity is missing its Vatican premiere because she is expecting a baby with her 19-year-old partner.
Australian-born Keisha Castle-Hughes, 16, who was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Whale Rider, plays Mary.
Pope Benedict XVI will also be unable to attend the Vatican's first premiere due to his forthcoming visit to Turkey.
A member for the Papal Council for Culture said the actress was expected to play her part well, not be a saint.
The actress, who is expecting a child in spring, said that she was "thrilled" at the news and had made the film "in a state of grace".
Biblical tale
The premiere, expected to be attended by 7,000 people, will take place in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall, which is used for Sunday masses when they are not held outside in St Peter's Square.
The film was shot partly in Matera, Italy, the same location used for Mel Gibson's The Passion of The Christ.
It recounts the Biblical tale from the Angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she will give birth to Jesus, to the visit of the three wise men to the new baby.
It has been produced by the same New Zealand-based company who were responsible for the Lord of The Rings trilogy, and will open in the US and Italy next month.
Oscar Isaac, a 30-year-old US actor, plays Joseph opposite Castle-Hughes.
Proceeds of the premiere will go towards the building of a school near Nazareth, 40km (25 miles) from the birthplace of Jesus.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/e ... 185894.stm
Published: 2006/11/26 16:47:46 GMT
