Under the Protection of Ka'Bah () is a 2011 Indonesian teen drama film directed by Hanny Saputra based on the 1938 novel of the same name by writer Hamka. The film was selected as the Indonesian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 84th Academy Awards. Plot Hamid (Herjunot Ali) and Zainab (Laudya Cynthia Bella) are teenagers from different social classes; Hamid comes from the lower classes, while Zainab is the daughter of local nobility. Hamid's mother works for Zainab's family, and Hamid has his schooling paid for by Zainab's family. Eventually they fall in love; however, Hamid's mother warns him that they will never be successful. After Hamid is accused of touching Zainab inappropriately, Hamid is run out of Padang, eventually reaching Mecca and praying at the Kaaba. Zainab is betrothed to the son of another nobleman. However, they continue to love each other. After their deaths, they are reunited in heaven. Cast Herjunot Ali as Hamid Laudya Cynthia Bella as Zainab Niken Anjani as Rosna Tarra Budiman as Saleh Jenny Rachman as Hamid's mother Widyawati as Mrs. Ja'far Didi Petet as Haji Ja'far Leroy Osmani as Rustam Ajun Perwira as Arifin Chris Radford as Mandur Belanda #1 Production Di Bawah Lindungan Ka'bah is the second film adaptation of Hamka's novel Di Bawah Lindungan Ka'bah, following an adaptation in 1977 by Asrul Sani. Unlike the original novel, which included numerous flashbacks, the plot is chronological. The film cost Rp 25 billion (approximately US$2.9 million) to make. According to producer Manoj Punjabi, the company spent enough on costumes alone to entirely finance a horror movie. Another cost was the construction of a small mosque, which was made in the style of the 1920s and eventually donated to the locals after filming. Production took place over a period of three years, beginning in April 2008. After the previous director departed two years into production, Hanny Saputra was approached to finish the film. At the time, approximately 20% had been finished. Themes According to Saputra, Di Bawah Lindungan Ka'bah is a romance with bits touching on the themes of culture and religion. Makbul Mubarak, in a review for The Jakarta Post, noted that the film abandoned some of the novel's themes, including feminism. Release and reception Di Bawah Lindungan Ka'bah received a wide release on 18 August 2011. Critical reception was negative to mixed. Mubarak criticized Saputra's lack of historical