A film titled "The Voice of Hind Rajab" by Palestine receives a standing ovation during its premiere spectacle

In the heart of the Venice Film Festival on September 3, 2025, the poignant film "The Voice of Hind Rajab" premiered, marking a powerful statement against the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The film, written by Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania, tells the anguished story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl named Hind, trapped in a car under Israeli fire. The little girl's increasingly desperate calls to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society's dispatchers are used to powerful effect throughout the film.

On January 29, 2024, the tragic incident unfolded when Hind and her relatives were caught in crossfire during an IDF operation in the Gaza Strip. Days later, their bodies were found in the car, along with those of the two dead ambulance workers. The remains of the workers were recovered from their bombed-out vehicle.

The IDF initially claimed that its troops had not been within firing range of the car, but independent investigations questioned this assertion. A subsequent U.N. report stated that the IDF had destroyed Rajab's car and killed the two medics who were trying to save her.

The film's production was an emotional process for the actors, as they only heard Rajab's recordings when they were on the set. Palestinian actor Motaz Malhees shared that there were two times where he couldn't keep filming due to a panic attack.

The film has attracted top Hollywood names as executive producers, including Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, and Rooney Mara. It received a standing ovation at its press screening ahead of the premiere.

Ben Hania stated that Hind's voice transcended a single tragedy and symbolized the voice of Gaza asking for help. The narrative around the world is that those dying in Gaza are collateral damage, and cinema and art are important to give those people a voice and a face.

The IDF's actions in Gaza have been under scrutiny, with the world's biggest academic association of genocide scholars announcing this week it had passed a resolution saying the legal criteria had been met to establish that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. More than 63,000 people living in Gaza have died in the fighting, according to Gaza health authorities.

Saja Kilani, one of the actors in the film, read a statement on behalf of the cast and crew, saying that Hind's story carries the weight of an entire people. The film serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict and the importance of seeking peace and justice.

The IDF's review of the incident is still ongoing, and they declined further comment. The film "The Voice of Hind Rajab" stands as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.