While the mass graves of Saddam's atrocities are being uncovered, Kurdish Ahmed and his grandmother calmly move along dusty roads towards the southern parts of Iraq. They are searching for Ahmed's father, missing since the Gulf War of 1991. After hearing rumors of the release of a group of prisoners shortly after the fall of Saddam in 2003, Ahmed and his grandmother set out on their mission. They both refuse to give up hope of finding him alive. Their journey through Iraq brings them in touch with the country's chaotic situation and troubled population. A photo, an old jacket and a flute are relics filled with memories, but mean nothing compared to the desire of finding Ahmed's father alive.

The film is centered on the relationship between the energetic and curious Ahmed, still untouched by the horror that surrounds him, and his quiet grandmother who is burdened by grief. The consequences of Saddam's dictatorship and the American invasion are portrayed in a strong and realistic manner. Son of Babylon is an intense reminder of the brutality of war and the ongoing effect it has on Iraqi citizens. mft