A  new film by Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania is set to premiere at the 82nd Venice Film Festival on 3 September, bringing global attention to the tragic story of six-year-old Hind Rajab, who was martyred in Gaza by IDF in January 2024. 

 

The 90-minute feature draws from real audio recordings of Hind’s final moments. Trapped inside a car in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza among the bodies of her family, Hind pleaded for help before the call was abruptly cut off. Days later, she was found dead. This moment, which became a symbol of the failure to protect innocent lives, has now been transformed into a deeply emotional cinematic experience that merges documentary realism with artistic storytelling, asking urgent questions about memory, accountability, and justice.

 

The project has drawn significant attention from Hollywood, with Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Alfonso Cuarón, and Jonathan Glazer joining as executive producers after viewing an early cut. Jemima Khan and Frank Giustra have also come on board as executive producers, while the production team includes Nadim Cheikhrouha (Four Daughters), Odessa Rae (Navalny), and James Wilson (The Zone of Interest). Institutional backing came from Film4, MBC, and Pitt’s production company, Plan B.

 

Kaouther Ben Hania, who earned an Oscar nomination for her films The Man Who Sold His Skin and Four Daughters, is celebrated for her ability to capture intimate human experiences with visual depth. In The Voice of Hind Rajab, she brings together actors Saja Kalani, Moataz Melhass, and Clara Khoury, with an evocative score composed by Amin Bouhafa, creating a film that resonates with both grief and resilience.

 

However, the film’s release has stirred strong emotions within Hind’s family. Her mother, Wesam Rajab, reshared an Instagram story that criticized the Hollywood involvement, stating: “The State Dept. has yet to issue a statement on investigating the murder of Hind Rajab and already Hollywood is looking to profit off of Palestinian suffering. None of them have even bothered to reach out to @wesam_rajabb or amplify her family’s suffering. We don’t want your exposure, we want you to STOP THE GENOCIDE.”

 

 

Despite this frustration, Wesam has also shared stories from people praising the film for giving Hind’s voice a platform. One message she reposted read: “Thank you @kaoutherbenhania for speaking up and giving Hind a voice. Her screams are still haunting me… ignored at the time, but now, through your film they can finally be heard… even if it is too late for her @wesam_rajabb.”

 

 

After its Venice premiere, the film will screen at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7 in the “Special Presentations” section. It will then travel to the San Sebastian, Busan, and London film festivals, ensuring wide global exposure and critical attention.