Debut of The Voice of Hind Rajab takes place in Venice, resonating worldwide
In the heart of Gaza City, six-year-old Hind Rajab found herself trapped in a bullet-riddled car in January 2024. In a desperate bid for help, she made a heart-wrenching call that would echo far beyond the conflict zone.
This harrowing incident forms the basis of Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania's latest film, "The Voice of Hind Rajab," which premieres at the Venice Film Festival this week. The film revisits the fateful day through a unique cinematic lens, focusing on the Red Crescent dispatch center and the unseen urgency, emotional weight, and bureaucratic obstacles within the rescue mission.
Ben Hania, no stranger to the Academy, has attracted major industry names as executive producers for the film. These include Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Alfonso Cuarón, and Jonathan Glazer, among others.
The film stars Palestinian actors, including Saja Kilani, Motaz Malhees, Clara Khoury, and Amer Hlehel. Authenticity was essential for Ben Hania, and the presence of Hind's real voice during the shoot often left the cast and crew in tears.
Kaouther Ben Hania reached out to Hind's mother, Wissam Hamadah, who gave her blessing. Hamadah spoke of Hind's love for the sea and her dream of becoming a dentist. The film stands out as a poignant reminder of storytelling's power to preserve memory and confront loss without sensationalism.
Ben Hania intentionally avoids graphic imagery in "The Voice of Hind Rajab," citing the world's desensitization to horror on the internet. Instead, the film offers a tense, immersive experience, using real recordings of Hind's call paired with actors portraying the responders.
While "The Voice of Hind Rajab" has not yet secured a North American release, it has been submitted by Tunisia as its candidate for Best International Feature at the Oscars. Ben Hania hopes the film reaches global audiences, allowing Hind's story to resonate far and wide.
The production of "The Voice of Hind Rajab" carried a sense of collective grief, with crew members often moved to tears and the actors responding to the reality of the audio. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
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