The powerful docudrama “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” which recounts the true story of a six-year-old Palestinian girl whose death shocked the world, made its regional premiere to a moved audience at the Doha Film Festival this week.
The film, directed by Oscar-nominated Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, was presented in the presence of its cast and crew, as well as Wessam Hamada, the mother of Hind Rajab. The premiere was met with a warm reception, marking a significant moment for Arab cinema.
Based on harrowing real-life audio recordings, the film documents the final hours of Hind Rajab, who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in January 2024. The story unfolds through the phone calls between the trapped six-year-old and volunteers from the Palestinian Red Crescent who desperately tried to save her.
Following the screening, Ben Hania addressed the audience, expressing the weight of adapting such a painful story. “It was a huge responsibility, and I was afraid to make a film like this in such a difficult time,” she stated. She extended thanks to the Doha Film Institute for their early belief in the project and acknowledged the Red Crescent volunteers present, calling them “the real heroes.”
Wessam Hamada also delivered a poignant speech, transforming her personal grief into a global plea. “My message today is not just words—it is the pain of a mother,” she said. “I realized that my role is to carry the voices of the children of Gaza to the world… to tell the world to save Gaza’s childhood before its last light goes out.”
Award-Winning and Star-Studded Project
“The Voice of Hind Rajab” arrives with significant prestige. Having already premiered at the Venice International Film Festival to a historic 20-minute standing ovation, the film won the Silver Lion and several other awards. It has been selected as Tunisia’s official submission for the upcoming Academy Awards.
The project boasts an impressive roster of executive producers, including Hollywood figures Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, and Alfonso Cuarón. Critical reception has been overwhelmingly positive. The BBC’s Nicholas Barber called it a film that will “get more people talking or more people crying,” while The Times’ Kevin Maher urged politicians and decision-makers to see it.
The film’s journey continues on the international festival circuit, with upcoming screenings scheduled in Toronto, London, and Cairo.
Produced by Mime Films and Tanit Films, “The Voice of Hind Rajab” is a Tunisian-French production made in collaboration with the Palestinian Red Crescent.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Essaafi)
