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The Nativity Story On DVD March 20, 2007

Faith-Based Resources and Ministry Tools Help Leaders Connect the Journey of the Holy Family to the Christian Life Today

“The filmmakers, who have clearly done their homework, have sensitively and responsibly crafted a story that poignantly captures two of Christendom’s most well-loved, but little-known characters – Joseph and Mary. Screenwriter Mike Rich has done a marvelous job bringing them to life not as religious icons but as flesh-and-blood humans who laugh and weep and feel, just like the rest of us.”
– Mark Moring, Online Editor of Film for Christianity Today International

“THE NATIVITY STORY is compelling, interesting and entertaining!”
– Dr. Ted Baehr, Movieguide® and the Christian Film & Television Commission

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 29, 2007) – Journey back in history as the greatest story ever told is brought to life in the epic drama The Nativity Story, arriving on DVD on March 20, 2007, from New Line Home Entertainment. Hitting stores just in time for Easter, The Nativity Story is an inspirational tale of extraordinary faith and love that chronicles the arduous journey of Mary and Joseph, a divine pregnancy and the miraculous birth of Jesus. As Christians worldwide focus on the Easter season, recalling the death and resurrection of Christ, The Nativity Story enables the faithful to recall also the Lord’s humble beginnings and the symbolic connections between his birth, death and resurrection.

The Nativity Story captures the emotional resonance and spirituality of the time of Christ with the recreation of the sights and sounds of the Holy Land captured through breathtaking cinematography and an inspirational musical score.

With much of the filming done in Matera, Italy, the same location where The Passion of the Christ was shot, The Nativity Story captures the authentic feel of a land and people who lived 2,000 years ago. “This story means so much to people all over the world,” says director Catherine Hardwicke. “I hope audiences can relate to the film on a personal level and find some inspiration to get through their own challenges and difficulties.”

“More than just the account of Christ’s birth, The Nativity Story is a story about real lives, troubling times, challenging circumstances and the extraordinary faith of ordinary people,” says Lynne Marian, vice president of the Christian ministry provider Outreach, Inc. “It’s a message as powerful today as it was 2,000 years ago.”

Starring Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider), Oscar Isaac (Guerrilla) and Academy Award®-nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo* (House of Sand and Fog), The Nativity Story was awarded The Heartland Film Festival’s “Truly Moving Picture” award, the Seal of Approval from The Dove Foundation and has been endorsed by The Parent’s Television Council. *2003, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, House of Sand and Fog

Motive Entertainment has pooled a variety of The Nativity Story “teaching and preaching” resources for faith and family leaders as well as consumers. A resource web site (http://www.NativityResources.com) has been developed to include downloadable study guides, sermon outlines, trailers, promotional materials and additional assets that enable The Nativity Story to be used as a teaching, preaching and outreach tool. To download DVD box images and production artwork, visit New Line Cinema’s web site at http://www.moviepublicity.com

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES*

· 16x9 widescreen (2.35:1) version of the film
· 4x3 fullscreen (1.33:1) version of the film
· Theatrical trailer
· English Dolby Digital 5.1 and English 2.0 Stereo Surround
· English & Spanish subtitles
· Closed captions
· Animated menus

*DVD special features subject to change.
ABOUT NEW LINE HOME ENTERTAINMENT
New Line Home Entertainment distributes New Line Cinema theatrical films on DVD, including the premium DVD brand infinifilm™. The Company also distributes feature films and non-theatrical programs acquired or produced by New Line Home Entertainment and New Line Television. Founded almost 40 years ago, New Line Cinema is the most successful independent film company in the world. Its mission is to
produce innovative, popular and profitable entertainment in the best creative environment. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, the fully-integrated studio has divisions devoted to home entertainment, television, music, theater, merchandising and an international unit. In 2005, New Line partnered with HBO to form Picturehouse, a new theatrical distribution company to release independent films. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line’s Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the most successful film franchises in history. New Line is a division of Time Warner, Inc.