A film igniting global outcry, ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ has made a powerful statement at the 82nd Venice Film Festival. The documentary-drama, focusing on the Innocence Lost, received an unprecedented 23-minute, 50-second standing ovation at its premiere on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. This historic moment, the longest applause ever recorded at the festival, was punctuated by tears from the audience and resounding chants of “Free Palestine,” accompanied by a sea of Palestinian flags.
A Harrowing Reconstruction
‘The Voice of Hind Rajab,’ directed by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, meticulously reconstructs the tragic final hours of five-year-old Hind Rajab. Hind was killed in Gaza in January 2024. The film centers around the actual phone calls Hind made to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) as she was trapped in a bullet-riddled car in northern Gaza, surrounded by the bodies of her family members, victims of Israeli forces. The film powerfully conveys the immense tragedy experienced by innocent civilians in conflict zones.
The film depicts the PRCS dispatchers’ desperate attempts to reassure Hind and coordinate a rescue. Actors Saja Kilani, Motaz Malhees, Clara Khoury, and Amer Hlehel portray the dispatchers. According to reports, despite a three-hour wait and eventual permission granted for an ambulance to proceed, contact with Hind and the dispatched medics was lost shortly after their arrival. Days later, Hind’s body was discovered alongside her deceased relatives and the two ambulance workers, their ambulance destroyed. Multiple news outlets, including The Guardian and Al Jazeera, covered the unfolding tragedy and the subsequent investigation.
Director’s Vision: Amplifying a Child’s Voice
Kaouther Ben Hania’s vision for the film goes beyond simply recounting a tragic event. She emphasized the universality of Hind’s voice, stating, “When I first heard the voice of Hind Rajab, there was something beyond her words. It was the voice of Gaza itself calling for help – and no one could reach her.” Her powerful statement, reported by Siasat.com, underscores the film’s broader message about the plight of civilians in conflict zones. Ben Hania further added, “I cannot accept a world where a child calls for help and no one comes. That pain, that failure, belongs to all of us.” This sentiment encapsulates the film’s core message: a call for collective responsibility and action.
The director’s objective is to humanize the victims in Gaza, resisting the dehumanization and amnesia that often accompany such tragedies. By giving a voice and a face to Hind, the film seeks to foster empathy and understanding. The Associated Press highlighted Ben Hania’s commitment to ensuring that Hind’s story, and the stories of countless others, are not forgotten.
Industry Support and Critical Acclaim
The premiere of ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ garnered substantial attention, drawing prominent figures from the film industry. Executive producers Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara were present and visibly moved by the film’s powerful narrative. Brad Pitt, Alfonso Cuarón, and Jonathan Glazer are also listed as executive producers, lending significant industry weight and credibility to the project. This high-profile support underscores the film’s importance and its potential to reach a wide audience.
Critics have lauded the film as “the most powerful and urgent entry of this year’s festival,” as noted by Vulture. The overwhelming emotional response from the audience, many of whom were visibly sobbing, further attests to the film’s profound impact. The film’s powerful message is clearly resonating with viewers, sparking conversations and prompting reflection on the human cost of conflict. The Venice Film Festival itself, documented on La Biennale di Venezia’s website, has provided a significant platform for this important story.
Awards Contender and a Mother’s Hope
‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ is now considered a frontrunner for the prestigious Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival. Furthermore, it has been submitted as Tunisia’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the upcoming Academy Awards. These accolades reflect the film’s artistic merit and its potential to reach an even wider global audience.
From Gaza City, Hind’s mother, Wissam Hamada, expressed her hope that the film would contribute to ending the war. This poignant statement underscores the real-world impact the film seeks to achieve. The overwhelming reception to ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ suggests it is more than just a cinematic event; it is a powerful movement, fostering a collective roar against indifference and aiming to galvanize global support for Palestine. Dubai Eye 103.8 reported on the growing momentum behind the film and its potential to effect change.
A Collective Roar
The historic 23-minute, 50-second standing ovation for ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ at the Venice Film Festival marks a significant moment in cinematic history. It signifies not only the film’s artistic merit but also its profound emotional and political impact. The film’s powerful narrative, coupled with the support of prominent industry figures and the overwhelming response from audiences, positions it as a catalyst for change. By giving voice to the voiceless and challenging indifference, ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ is poised to leave a lasting legacy, fostering empathy, understanding, and a renewed commitment to peace and justice.
