At the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday, director Kaouther Ben Hania and her cast of The Voice of Hind Rajab were met with a standing ovation from journalists. The gripping drama recounts the tragic true story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl who was trapped in a car targeted by Israeli forces in Gaza and later found dead. The film is gaining momentum as a leading contender for the Golden Lion award.
As one of the film’s lead actors, Saja Kilani, addressed the press, she issued a poignant plea.
On behalf of all of us actors: Isn’t it enough? Enough of the mass killing, the starvation, the dehumanization, the destruction, the ongoing occupation,
she declared.
Bringing a Child’s Harrowing Story to Light
Ben Hania’s film centers on Hind Rajab’s desperate voice during a harrowing emergency call with Red Crescent volunteers, recorded as she and her family fled Gaza City. Their vehicle was attacked, killing several relatives and leaving Hind trapped and pleading for help for hours. Although an ambulance was cleared by the Israeli military to reach her, both Hind and the rescuers were ultimately found dead. The director wrote and helmed the film using the actual voice recordings and carefully scripted reenactments based on firsthand accounts and transcripts.
Ben Hania stated that the story was meant to shine a light on the numerous children lost in Gaza during recent years and to emphasize their right to live and dream.
Hind’s voice is one amongst tens of thousands of children that were killed in the last two years. It is the voice of every daughter and every son with the right to live, to dream, to exist in dignity and all of it is stolen in front of unblinking eyes. Behind every number is a story that never got to be told. Her story is about a child crying out. No one can live in peace when even one child was forced to plead for survival.
Hollywood Icons Support the Film’s Message
The project attracted producers Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix as it launched during the Venice Film Festival. When asked if their involvement signaled a shift amid Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s perceived cultural setbacks in Hollywood, Ben Hania emphasized the importance of their participation.
We’ve seen that the narrative around the world is that those dying in Gaza are collateral damage. This is so dehumanizing. And that’s why cinema, art and every kind of expression is very important — to give those people a voice and a face,
she explained.
She acknowledged her gratitude for their commitment.
They are here to support the movie and I’m very happy. I never in my life thought that it can be possible, so I’m very grateful for their support,
Ben Hania added.
Dehumanization Drives the Need for Storytelling
For Ben Hania, a key motivation in creating The Voice of Hind Rajab was countering the dehumanizing portrayal of Palestinians in much Western media, which she described as a core injustice. Though she sometimes doubts the effectiveness of filmmaking, she believes it remains vital.
Some days, when I’m really depressed, I ask myself: what’s the point of doing movies? But I do think it’s important.
The drama’s emotional weight extended beyond the screen, as the viral audio of Hind’s voice ignited global outrage, sparking student protests such as those at Columbia University where buildings were renamed in her honor.
Cast and Crew Embrace the Emotional Demands
The film’s cast is entirely Palestinian, including Motaz Malhees, Clara Khoury, Amer Hlehel, and Saja Kilani. Rather than hearing Hind’s voice before filming, the actors first encountered the recordings on set, which deeply affected their performances. Motaz Malhees, who portrays the Red Crescent volunteer who answered Hind’s urgent call, reflected on the impact.
And the moment I heard Hind’s voice, I thought this was a reality. It took me back to the time I was begging as a kid for safety,
he said.
He revealed the toll of filming such a difficult story:
There were two times I couldn’t keep filming. I had a panic attack. It was hard. But it was a responsibility for me. But it didn’t feel like I was acting. It was living.
Co-star Clara Khoury described the emotional atmosphere on set.
But everyone was engaged, because of the cause, because of what’s going on in Gaza and because of the genocide that is not stopping yet.
The Film’s Ongoing Fight for Justice and Recognition
Ben Hania stressed that while justice for Hind Rajab and others affected remains elusive, the call for an end to the violence is urgent.
Justice is very important, but we are not yet there,
she noted, adding,
We are saying: ‘Enough! Enough of this genocide. In an ideal world I hope for justice for Hind and all of those who were killed. But we far from that,
she continued.
The Voice of Hind Rajab premiered in competition at Venice and will make its North American debut at the Toronto International Film Festival. It has been submitted by Tunisia as their official candidate for Best International Feature Film at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards.
Ben Hania brings extensive recognition to the project, having been nominated for an Oscar in 2024 for Best Documentary Feature for Four Daughters, and previously competing with her 2021 film The Man Who Sold His Skin.
The continuing conflict in Gaza has also been a significant focus throughout Venice, where thousands participated in a pro-Palestinian demonstration earlier in the week alongside the film’s world premiere.
