This Oscar-nominated drama is a terrifying glimpse into what persecuted Christians face

Seeing a big-screen dramatic portrayal of a brutal and unjust regime brings to life the stories we hear from persecuted Christians, says Steve Dew-Jones. Here’s what he made of the Iranian film, The Seed of the Sacred Fig

If you’re looking for a light-hearted watch with a Hollywood happy ending, The Seed of the Sacred Fig is probably not for you. But given that it was shot in secret and the filmmaker, Mohammad Rasoulof was handed a prison sentence and forced to flee Iran for making it, perhaps this should come as no surprise.

Anyone who’s ever watched an Iranian film will testify that they tend to be - at the very least - intense and emotionally draining. Rasoulof’s latest film, which has won several international awards and was nominated for an Oscar at the weekend, is certainly no exception.