The new film The Voice of Hind Rajab by Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival this week. Backed by MBC Studios, the drama was met with a 23-minute standing ovation and strong critical acclaim.
A story rooted in reality
The film reconstructs the final phone call of six-year-old Hind Rajab, trapped in Gaza during an Israeli airstrike in January 2024. Using real audio recordings and testimonies, Ben Hania builds a narrative that highlights the human cost of conflict.
- Based on Hind’s desperate call to the Palestinian Red Crescent
- Mixes real audio with scripted reenactments
- Raises global attention on one child’s story
By focusing on Hind’s words and voice, the film underscores how individual stories can cut through numbers and statistics that often dominate coverage of Gaza.
Global support behind the project
MBC Studios joined international producers to bring the film to the screen, aligning with well-known Hollywood names.
- Executive producers include Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Jonathan Glazer, Rooney Mara, and Alfonso Cuarón
- Produced by Mime Films, Tanit Films, James Wilson, and Odessa Rae
- Supported by MBC Studios as part of its focus on regional stories with global resonance
The participation of high-profile filmmakers shows the broad recognition of the film’s urgency and importance.
Voices from the filmmakers and cast
Both Ben Hania and the cast spoke about the responsibility of telling Hind’s story.
- Ben Hania emphasised cinema’s role in giving a human face to victims of war
- Lead actress Saja Kilani noted the film represents thousands of children and families in Gaza
- The cast described the film as a work anchored in truth rather than opinion
Their comments reflect the weight the project carries beyond the screen, functioning both as art and testimony.
What’s next for the film
Following Venice, The Voice of Hind Rajab will appear at several major festivals.
- Toronto International Film Festival
- BFI London Film Festival
- San Sebastián International Film Festival
These screenings will expand the film’s reach, giving Hind’s story a global audience.
FAQs
Who directed The Voice of Hind Rajab?
The film was directed and written by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania.
What makes the film unique?
It uses real audio recordings of Hind Rajab’s final phone call, combined with testimonies and dramatised scenes, creating a narrative rooted in fact.
Which festivals will screen the film after Venice?
The film will continue to Toronto, London, and San Sebastián.
