Is Iran a threat to the world? The escape of a film director has put the spotlight on Iran's ruthless approach to its enemies both at home and abroad.
Movie genius on the run after flogging threat
Is Iran a threat to the world? The escape of a film director has put the spotlight on Iran's ruthless approach to its enemies both at home and abroad.
As the CannesA city in southern France, known for its annual film festival. Film Festival opened yesterday, the crowds gathered to see the stars arrive. But the name on everyone's lips was someone most people would not recognise.
IranianFrom Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, a country in West Asia home to nearly 90 million people. Mohammad Rasoulof directed a film called The Seed of the Sacred Fig. It tells of a judge in TehranThe capital of Iran. who becomes paranoidBelieving, often with no solid basis, that you are being harassed, betrayed or persecuted by others. after the country's growing political protests.
We do not yet know whether Rasoulof will make it. He is currently in hiding from Iran's secret police after escaping the country.
Iran's leaders want Rasoulof to stop sharing his film. Last week he was sentencedDeclare the punishment for a person who has done something wrong. to eight years in prison, floggingBeating someone with a whip or stick. , a fine and told his property would be taken away.
Even now he is not safe. Protesters against Iran's leaders have been killed in the past.
And last month an anti-governmentThe group of people who govern - or lead - the country. TV presenter called Pouria Zeraati was attacked on a London street. Fortunately, he survived.
Is Iran a threat to the world?
Yes! Iran's leaders have helped terrorist groups in foreign countries and protesters have ended up dead. Some even worry that it could make a nuclear bombA device that uses a nuclear reaction to create an explosion. .
No! Iran is not strong enough to take on the world's big powers, such as the USA. The main threat from Iran is to its own people.
Cannes - A city in southern France, known for its annual film festival.
Iranian - From Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, a country in West Asia home to nearly 90 million people.
Tehran - The capital of Iran.
Paranoid - Believing, often with no solid basis, that you are being harassed, betrayed or persecuted by others.
Sentenced - Declare the punishment for a person who has done something wrong.
Flogging - Beating someone with a whip or stick.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
Nuclear bomb - A device that uses a nuclear reaction to create an explosion.
Movie genius on the run after flogging threat

Glossary
Cannes - A city in southern France, known for its annual film festival.
Iranian - From Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, a country in West Asia home to nearly 90 million people.
Tehran - The capital of Iran.
Paranoid - Believing, often with no solid basis, that you are being harassed, betrayed or persecuted by others.
Sentenced - Declare the punishment for a person who has done something wrong.
Flogging - Beating someone with a whip or stick.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
Nuclear bomb - A device that uses a nuclear reaction to create an explosion.