International debut of Gaza-related film earns prolonged standing ovation at Venice Film Festival
In the heart of Venice, on September 3, 2021, a powerful film titled "The Voice of Hind Rajab" made its debut at the prestigious Venice Film Festival. This poignant docu-drama, directed by Franco-Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, tells the heart-wrenching story of a five-year-old girl named Hind Rajab Hamada who was tragically killed by Israeli forces in Gaza last year.
Hind's desperate calls with the Red Crescent rescue service were recorded and released, causing international outrage. Her mother, Wissam Hamada, who lives in Gaza City with her five-year-old son, hopes that the film will help bring an end to the ongoing conflict.
The film is a dramatic portrayal of the Red Crescent team trying to coordinate Hind's rescue, using real phone recordings of Hind Rajab. It was met with a 23-minute standing ovation after its premiere, reflecting the audience's profound emotional response.
The Gaza conflict has been a major talking point at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, with the war regularly causing tension in the cinema world since Israel launched its offensive in October 2023. An open letter calling on festival organizers to denounce the Israeli government has been signed by around 2,000 cinema insiders. Thousands of protesters also marched to the entrance of the event on Aug. 30.
The executive producers of "The Voice of Hind Rajab" include actors Joaquin Phoenix and Brad Pitt, as well as Oscar-winning directors Jonathan Glazer and Alfonso Cuaron. The film features a star-studded cast, with Franco-Tunisian actors dominating the lead roles.
Tragically, Hind Rajab was eventually found dead along with two ambulance staff who went to rescue her. At least 63,633 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's bombardment, mostly civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. These figures have been deemed reliable by the United Nations.
Israel's military has not announced a formal investigation into Hind Rajab's death. However, the film serves as a powerful testament to the innocent lives lost in the conflict, and a call for peace and justice.
Hind Rajab's story resonated deeply with the film industry, with hundreds of actors and directors expressing their "ashamed" about their industry's "passivity" about the war during the Cannes film festival in May. Franco-Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania and her cast were in tears during the applause and cheers at the Venice Film Festival premiere.
As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing conflict in Gaza, "The Voice of Hind Rajab" serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the urgent need for peace.
