World Premiere of The Voice of Hind Rajab (Hind Receb'in Sesi)

The Voice of Hind Rajab is a film directed by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, depicting the final moments of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who was killed in an Israeli attack in 2024. The film had its world premiere on 3 September 2025 at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it received the longest standing ovation in the festival’s history.

The film centers on the story of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old girl who lost her life during an Israeli military attack on Gaza on 29 January 2024. While traveling with her family in a vehicle, Hind had contacted the Palestinian Red Crescent for assistance. The film uses the original audio recordings of her telephone conversations with Palestinian Red Crescent volunteers who tried to dispatch an ambulance to her location.

The vehicle in which Hind was traveling was struck by more than 335 bullets, resulting in the deaths of five members of the Rajab family. After the attack, Hind remained alive for approximately three hours, maintaining a phone connection with Palestinian Red Crescent volunteers as she pleaded for help. However, when the ambulance crew arrived at the scene, they too were targeted and killed.

The film reconstructs the events using the original audio recordings of these phone calls. Director Ben Hania chose not to depict any scenes of violence.

^{Hind Rajab – (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Director Ben Hania stated that she decided to bring the project to life after first hearing Hind’s audio recording. She established prolonged contact with Hind’s mother and the Palestinian Red Crescent volunteers who spoke with her during the emergency, shaping the screenplay around their testimonies.

The film is produced by Nadim Cheikhrouha, Odessa Rae, and James Wilson (JW Films). Distribution in Europe is handled by The Party Film Sales, and in North America by CAA Media Finance.

The film has received support from internationally renowned actors and directors. Among its executive producers are Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Alfonso Cuarón, and Jonathan Glazer. Phoenix and Mara attended the film’s screening in Venice.

The film was met at its Venice screening with a standing ovation that lasted 23 minutes, surpassing the previous record of 22 minutes set for the film *Pan’s Labyrinth* at Cannes in 2006.

During the screening, actors carried photographs of Hind on stage, Palestinian flags were unfurled among the audience, and chants of “Free Palestine” were raised.

Director Ben Hania emphasized that this film is not only about Gaza but also about a universal act of resistance through grief and memory. Actress Saja Kilani, speaking on behalf of the entire team at a press conference, condemned the attacks in Gaza and stated that Hind’s voice represents the voices of tens of thousands of children.

“Is it not enough? Massacres, starvation, dehumanization, destruction, ongoing occupation — enough. Hind’s voice is one among tens of thousands of children killed over the past two years. It is the voice of every girl and every boy entitled to live, to dream, to exist with dignity — and all of this is stolen without a blink. Behind every number lies a story that can never be told. It is the story of a crying child. When even one child is forced to beg for survival, no one can live in peace. Enough. Not tomorrow, not someday — now. For justice, for humanity, for the future of every child.”

Actor Motaz Malhees stated that this is not a film but a part of his own lived reality.

On 29 January 2024, Hind Rajab and her family fled escalating bombardments in Gaza in search of a safer area. Their vehicle was targeted by Israeli forces and struck by 335 bullets. Five relatives inside the vehicle were killed during the attack.

The sole survivor, Hind Rajab, maintained a phone connection with Palestinian Red Crescent volunteers for approximately three hours, pleading for help. During the calls, she said: “They are all dead, come and take me, I don’t want to be alone here. I am terrified, please send someone to get me.”

She remained on the line with the volunteers until an ambulance was dispatched. However, due to Israeli forces blocking access, the ambulance was delayed. When medical personnel finally reached the area, they too were attacked and killed.

After the incident, Hind Rajab’s lifeless body was found alongside her relatives and the deceased medical workers. Her death sparked widespread international outcry. The event was widely covered in international media and by human rights organizations, prompting calls for an independent investigation.