'The Easter Joy' stars several actors who have experienced drug addiction, crime and homelessness, but have recently come to faith at The Saturday Gathering Church in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Inspired by #Psalm22, watch the full-length #Justpray video for #Easterhttps://t.co/OtJvjGm8GG
— Church of England (@c_of_e) 23 March 2016
Replacing Christ's crown of thorns with a crown of syringes, it portrays Jesus' final moments before His death and includes part of Psalm 22 which Jesus quoted on the cross; "My God, My God why have you forsaken me?"
The film's release follows 'The Lord's Prayer' advertisement which was barred from cinemas last year for it's "religious content", the Church of England says.
Speaking with Premier, Revd Arun Arora, Director of Communications for the Church of England, said: "It's a short film that basically recognises the struggles of daily live, the struggles that people face in Lent, prayer, discipline, getting it right but [it ends] with triumph.
"What this film shows it that God is with us in those struggles and Easter represents the triumph of Jesus over those struggles."
Revd Arun Arora went on to say: "This film is a testament to the triumph of faith and hope over struggle.
"From bereavement to addiction, from homelessness to imprisonment, Easter is a reminder that suffering doesn't have the last word and that love is more powerful than the grave."
He added: "Each of the stories is a testimony to the fact that Love wins.
"As the Church across the globe celebrates Easter day, we wanted to make a film that highlighted the stories of individuals who have come through suffering to the Easter joy of faith in Jesus."