the beautiful, meaningful NATIVITY story

Official Trailer and On Set Interviews with Writer and Director:
www.nativityresources.ca/videos.php

Having this unique opportunity and out of pure curiosity, I went to a movie screening of the upcoming “The Nativity Story” (www.thenativitystory.com, www.nativityresources.ca) organized by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

The story about the birth of Jesus is surely nothing new to us. We celebrate every year with services, concerts, drama… and initially as I watched I have the same feeling about the movie, but in a very appreciated way: It’s filmed very nicely (Hollywood), yet written and directed by Christians. Story structure “pretty much” stick to the integrity of the bible and the gospel with some imaginations to makeup the rest of the details. Pretty good casting even though nobody you’ll know star in the movie (except maybe Mary), but amazing costume and set designs. Looks like very well researched too. I could only spotted one scene where I wasn’t truly convinced, but that scene was quite true to the Text. If you are going to see it, let me know if you know what scene I was talking about.

As the movie progresses, the cinematography and score becomes stunningly beautiful. The subtle (not preaching) messages within the storytelling continue to impact me afterwards as I drove back home. Several key elements that truly hit me: faith & believe, goodness, and God's love to everyone, esp. those who are despised, rejected, lonely and unloved.

I totally see a lot of reasons why we as Christians would want to see the movie. It’s a pretty good, actually in fact a “feel good” experience. What I don’t see though is why non-Christians would want to go see that movie? Well, unlike The Passion of the Christ, it’s not made by Mel Gibson, and it’s not controversial, it’s not in Aramaic, and it’s not violent at all. But the interesting point that a viewer shared at the Q&A is that many cried at “The Passion of the Christ” portraying the death of Jesus, and some cried at this screening portraying the birth of Christ too. I am sure though if we do watch it and recommend it to our non-Christian friends, may be they will consider. =)

After the movie ended, like a movie shown in Film Fest, we all applaud and had an unique opportunity to personally meet the screenwriter, Mike Green (like in Film Fest) where he answered audiences questions. He was actually the screenwriter for "Finding Forrester" and Disney's "The Rookie", humble brother. He answered questions on Joseph's age, Magi arrival... how it all began, casting etc. Overall is really a great experience.

Evangelical Fellowship of Canada is organizing some campaigns and have set up deals with different theatre lines for group sales: www.cineplex.com or call 1-800-313-4461, www.empiretheatres.com, www.amctheatres.com.

I also have a promotional DVD (less than 7 min. long), if you wish to see it, just give me a shout!

Words from EFC and its marketing partner on the film:
The Nativity Story has now been previewed by many and the comments that have come back have been excellent.

Let's get this info out to our churches and friends.

It is important for rating for a movie to be attended real well the first week it is out which is Dec 1 /06

Group attendance is the best way to see the movie, as prices are almost half of regular ticket price from about $5.00 to 7.50 per ticket Call 1-800-313-4461 for more info groups must be 20 people or more.

For resources go to call 1800-991-6011
www.outreach.com
http://www.nativityresources.ca/
or call us 604-581-1007 toll free 1-877-581-1007

Scholarships are being finalized this week
children up to age 17 years (in Canada) will be able to write an essay after viewing the movie to compete for 1 out of 10 scholarships. More info to come check web page www.thenativitystory.com

We will have bookmarks, brochures etc which we can send if you send us an email with your name and address for shipping

We have large banners (free) that you can hang outside your church would
you be interested?

Blessings and be blessed by "The Nativity Story"
www.thenativitystory.com