His 2016 film Lion, partly shot in Calcutta, earned six Oscar nominations. Two years later, Australian film-maker Garth Davis directed the ambitious Mary Magdalene, which sought to tell the ‘true story’ of the controversial Biblical figure. Starring Rooney Mara in the title role, Mary Magdalene boasted a powerful cast, including Joaquin Phoenix and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Ahead of its premiere on Indian television tomorrow (April 2 at 9pm on Sony PIX), The Telegraph chatted with Garth on what prompted him to make the film and his memories of shooting Lion in Calcutta.

Mary Magdalene’s story has been both complex and controversial, co-opted and rewritten in history. What was your primary attraction towards directing this film?

I was profoundly moved by the resonance of spirituality and truth. For too long, we have been living a lie, pretending something better is always ahead of us, whilst all the time being controlled by institutions through fear and guilt. This script brought light to the true story of Mary Magdalene, and the spiritual understanding she garnered on the road with Jesus... that God is within us, within every act of love. Whether you are religious or not, and I am not, this I deeply trusted. And in these current times, it offers a critical reminder, that the world can only change when we change.

What do you think are the reasons why it took this long for Mary Magdalene’s story to be told on screen? Does sexism lie at the heart of it, or are there other more potent reasons?

Men and power. We all know this. Why has it taken until now for so many truths about the sexist attitudes towards women to surface? I was deeply saddened, and not surprised, that Mary Magdalene’s true story has never been told on screen, or widely celebrated. Why has every film before not addressed this?

In 591, Pope Gregory claimed that Mary of Magdala was a prostitute, a misconception which remains to this day. I did go to church a few times as a child, and as I looked up the front, I wondered where all the women were? Not much has changed, but in 2016, while we were making the film, Mary of Magdala was formally identified by the Vatican as Apostle of the Apostles — their equal — and the first messenger of the resurrected Jesus. The key here is that there are beautiful and profound messages in Jesus’ teachings, ones that traverse all faiths, but there is a pollution that needs to clear.

What were the biggest challenges of directing a film like this and were there any specific dos and don’ts for you when it came to telling this story?

There is always this fear of misrepresenting figures so beloved. History is mostly about filling in the gaps from what we think we understand and what we know, and this subject matter holds such widely disparate views. So deciding on the path to take was felt with a real sense of responsibility. But it was invigorating to bring a reality to the landscapes and worlds, and a fresh dimension to Jesus seen through the eyes of Mary.

Garth Davis (extreme right) with Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara Sourced by the correspondent

What, in your opinion, made Rooney Mara the right choice for the part?

Having worked with Rooney on Lion, it became pretty apparent to me she held this very unique spiritual sixth sense... an empathy and love that stretched beyond time and space. It was this cerebral quality that matched the yearning and connection to God, but Rooney also has this fire and strength, held with such beautiful grace. So for me, she embodied the spiritual, emotional and intellectual qualities needed to play Mary.

Did you feel extra pressure directing a faith-based film, especially given how intolerant the world seems to have become in recent years?

Yes, of course. But I also knew that whatever we make is always going to be less offensive than those films before us... films that have up until now ignored Mary’s truth and misrepresented women. If our film offends, it’s probably because people have to readjust their belief to who Mary really was, and that might not sit well for some.

Your filmography so far has been pretty eclectic. Has mixing it up as a storyteller been the key for you?

I like the colours and diversity of life. So I want to ensure I experience that while I am here. But whether it be a sci-fi film or a biopic, the common thread you will find in my work is my love of humanity.

You were in Calcutta during the shoot of Lion and we had met on the sets. That’s, of course, been a landmark film in your career so far. Can you share some memories from your time in Calcutta?

I have so many beautiful memories. I could talk all day, but the most powerful are those with the children I worked with. Seeing their spirits shine, their smiles, their wonder for the day ahead is something I will cherish forever…. A big part of my heart lives in India.

Much before Lion, you were in talks to direct another Indian story — Shantaram. Will that be brought to life anytime in the future?

Shantaram is currently being made as a TV series. I am no longer involved. But, I know in my heart, India is far from over for me….