Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania’s “The Voice of Hind Rajab” is nominated for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival
Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania is widely expected to win the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival for her film “The Voice of Hind Rajab.” The dramatic work depicts the last phone call between the little girl and the Palestinian Red Crescent, which lasted for nearly three hours as she waited for rescue while trapped in a car next to the bodies of her family members who were shot by the Israeli army before she was also killed. The film received a great response from the audience during its screening, receiving a standing ovation that lasted for nearly 23 minutes, reflecting the depth of emotion felt by the little girl’s story
Audiences are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the winners of the 82nd Venice Film Festival on Saturday evening. Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania is widely expected to win the Golden Lion, the festival’s top award, for her film “The Voice of Hind Rajab.” The film received a huge response from the audience during its screening, receiving a standing ovation lasting nearly 23 minutes, reflecting its emotional impact.
“The Voice of Hind Rajab” is the favorite to win the Golden
Lion, succeeding Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door,” at a time when Gaza’s strong presence at the festival was prominent. Audiences were moved to tears during the screening of the film, which tells the story of a five-year-old girl who called the Palestinian Red Crescent for help during a three-hour phone call while Israeli soldiers opened fire on the car in which five members of her family were killed on January 29, 2024.
Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania based the film on authentic audio recordings of the 70-minute call between the girl and the Red Crescent, requesting help before her death
Hind was found dead 12 days later inside a bullet-riddled car in Gaza City, where she was with her uncle, his wife, and their three children, all of whom were killed.
Hind Rajab’s mother was unable to watch the movie.
Hind’s mother, Wissam Hamada, was unable to watch the film, she told the BBC. “I couldn’t hear her voice. It was very difficult for me.” Hamada believes the film will immortalize her daughter’s memory for generations to come
The festival’s artistic director, Alberto Barbera, had predicted last July, before the film’s screening, that it would have a “strong impact on the audience.”
The festival’s jury is headed by American director Alexander Payne, and 21 films are competing for the Italian festival’s awards
