Abu, Son of Adam

The yearly Muslim Haj (the holy pilgrimage to Mecca) remains one of the most incredible feats of faith and endurance in human history, which makes it all the more baffling that Salim Ahamed’s directorial debut, ‘Abu, Son of Adam’, is so dull. Set in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Ahamed’s family drama follows devout Muslim Abu (Salim Kumar), as he and his wife Aisa (Zarina Wahab) strive to save enough money to take the holy voyage. An enticing sub plot involving their estranged son Sathar only fleetingly features (more’s the pity), and we gain little real insight into the region’s Muslim community.