Kaouther Ben Hania’s latest film, The Voice Of Hind Rajab, is set to make a significant impact at the Venice Film Festival, showcasing a heartbreaking story that resonates globally.
Kaouther Ben Hania’s Film ‘The Voice Of Hind Rajab’ at Venice Film Festival
The Voice Of Hind Rajab, the latest feature from Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, will debut in Competition at this year’s Venice Film Festival. Venice head Alberto Barbera described the film as a moving story that he believes will impress audiences and critics alike.
The Story Behind the Film
The film tells the tragic story of a young Palestinian girl, Hind Rajab, who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza last year, along with six members of her family. While fleeing Gaza City, their vehicle was shelled, resulting in the deaths of her uncle, aunt, and three cousins. Hind and another cousin survived and reached out to the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) for help. Unfortunately, both were later found dead along with the paramedics. Rajab’s death ignited global protests, notably at Columbia University, where students renamed Hamilton Hall as Hind’s Hall. American rapper Macklemore also released a protest song titled ‘Hind’s Hall.’
Official Synopsis
The film’s official synopsis reads: “January 29, 2024. Red Crescent volunteers receive an emergency call. A 6-year-old girl is trapped in a car under fire in Gaza, pleading for rescue. While trying to keep her on the line, they do everything they can to get an ambulance to her. Her name was Hind Rajab.”
Ben Hania’s Journey
Kaouther Ben Hania, a veteran documentary filmmaker, first encountered Hind Rajab’s story while campaigning for her 2024 feature Four Daughters, which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023 and won the documentary award.
In her statement, Ben Hania shared, “I was in the middle of the Oscar campaign for Four Daughters when I heard an audio recording of Hind Rajab begging for help. I felt a mix of helplessness and overwhelming sadness. I couldn’t carry on as planned. The heart of this film is something very simple and very hard to live with: I cannot accept a world where a child calls for help and no one comes.”
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Universal Grief
Ben Hania emphasized that this story transcends Gaza, speaking to a universal grief. She believes that cinema, especially when based on verified, painful real events, is a powerful tool for preserving memory and resisting amnesia.
Ben Hania concluded her statement with a poignant wish: “May Hind Rajab’s voice be heard.” Other titles announced at the press conference include Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt, Jay Kelly’s latest film, and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, starring Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac. The 2025 Venice Film Festival runs from August 27 to September 6.
