Gunfire rings out. People run for their lives as Islamic State gunmen fire into the air. A boy is left cowering, his mother, dead. 

Soon the orphan finds a home with an elderly woman and her soldier son. "Did your mother ever tell you the story of the Lady of Heaven?" his new carer asks. 

This is the opening scene of The Lady of Heaven, a historical drama retelling the life of Fatima, the daughter of the prophet MuhammadMuhammad, born in 570 in Mecca, is the founder of Islam. , in 7th Century Arabia. 

But some may struggle to find a screening. This week, Cineworld cancelled all showings, just days after its UK release. 

The reason? Hundreds of protestors had gathered, accusing the film's creators of blasphemySpeaking with contempt or disrespect about a religious deity or sacred person. Blasphemy laws were abolished in the UK in 2008. . "Our Prophet, our honour," read one man's sign.

The protestors were outraged by the decision to screen the film. Now, others are outraged by the decision to cancel it.

The Lady of Heaven's producers claim to give a faceNo individual actor is credited with playing the prophet. His face was partially computer-generated.  to the prophet Muhammad. Many Muslims find this offensive, as Islam prohibits virtual representations of the prophet.

Experts say these protests are more complex. Critics of the film accuse it of sectarianismPolitical or cultural conflict between two groups. Between 85% and 90% of the world's Muslims belong to the Sunni sect. Shias account for roughly 10%. . 

Much of the controversy relates to the opening scene, set in Iraq in 2014, in which a woman named Fatima is killed by terrorists. Some Sunni viewers believe the film draws parallels between the brutality of the Islamic State and the actions of close friends of the prophet Muhammad, who were early figures in Sunni Islam.

For Muslim leader Asif PatelPatel is the chairman of the Bolton Council of Mosques. , The Lady of Heaven "disrespects the most esteemed individuals of Islamic history". The film is banned in Egypt, Pakistan and the majority of Shia IranA country in Western Asia, officially called the Islamic Republic of Iran. It has a population of 84 million. . 

Cineworld's critics say that no matter how offensive it is to some, people should be allowed to watch it.

"This is an artistic endeavour talking about and elaborating on history and religion, which always has a plethoraA large or excessive amount.  of different takes and interpretations," insists producer Malik Shlibak. "That's normal and healthy." People are free to dislike it, but not ban it. 

For British peerA member of the House of Lords, one of the two houses that makes up the UK parliament. Baroness Claire Fox, the cinema's decision is "disastrous for the arts and dangerous for free speech".

This is not the first blasphemy row in the UK. And it is unlikely to be the last. But there is no doubt: what happens next will impact discussions of democracy and the boundaries of free speech for years to come. 

Yes: Millions of people around the world find the scenes depicted in The Lady of Heaven deeply offensive. When protests grew, Cineworld had no choice: they had to protect staff and cinema-goers.

No: In an open society, people must be allowed to push boundaries. If views some find offensive are not heard, they cannot be interrogated. Free speech is a fundamental right.

Or... All societies must draw a line between what is acceptable and what is unacceptable to say. This is not easy. It should not be left to cinemas to settle disputes between artists and religious groups.