The film ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’, part of the official competition at the Venice Festival, narrates the true story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl found dead in January 2024 in Gaza. She was in a car with her uncles and cousins when it was targeted by an Israeli attack.
Before her death, Hind Rajab spent several hours on the phone with paramedics from the Red Crescent while the car was under fire and her relatives were being killed. These recordings formed the basis of Kaouther Ben Hania’s film, which was screened today in Venice.
“The media presents deaths in Gaza as collateral damage. I find this dehumanizing, which is why cinema, art, and all forms of expression are so important to give a voice and face to these people,” said the director during a press conference. Before walking the Venice red carpet, she held a portrait of Hind Rajab and before the film’s premiere in the theater.
The film received production support from figures like Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Alfonso Cuaron, and Jonathan Glazer.
The premiere was met with emotion, eliciting a 22-minute applause from the audience, with Palestinian flags raised and shouts of “Free Palestine,” reports Variety magazine.
‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ is a strong contender for the Golden Lion and is Tunisia’s entry in the race for the 2026 Oscars.
The 82nd edition of the Venice Film Festival began on August 27 and concludes on Saturday, September 6.
Leveraging the festival’s occurrence, thousands participated in a march in Venice last Saturday in support of Palestine and against Israeli attacks on Gaza.
The protest was organized by the collective Venice4Palestine, comprising workers from Italy’s film sector, unions, and other organizations, aiming to draw international media attention to the war in Gaza.
