Girl's heartfelt appeals in 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' stir Venice Film Festival emotionally

In the heart of the Venice Film Festival, a poignant film titled "The Voice of Hind Rajab" made a rapturous debut, receiving a 24-minute standing ovation and emerging as the clear crowd favourite to win the Golden Lion award.

The film, directed by Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania, focuses on the harrowing story of a 5-year-old Palestinian girl named Hind Rajab. Hind's anguished pleas, recorded during a tragic incident, form the core of the film.

On October 7, 2023, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) invaded the Gaza Strip after Hamas militants attacked Israel. In the ensuing chaos, Hind and her family were trapped in their car, which was later bombed. More than 63,000 people living in Gaza have died in the fighting, according to Gaza health authorities.

Hind's story unfolds through telephone conversations with operators from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society who tried to reassure her for hours. The actors playing these dispatchers found the filming process extremely emotional due to their exposure to Hind's recordings.

After a three-hour wait, the Red Crescent finally received the green light from Israel to dispatch an ambulance to save Hind. However, contact with Hind and the rescuers was cut just after the ambulance arrived at the scene. Days later, Hind's body was found along with those of her relatives in the car. The remains of the two dead ambulance workers were also recovered from their bombed-out vehicle.

Independent investigations and a subsequent UN report challenged the IDF's assertion that they were not within firing range of Hind's car. The IDF has stated that the incident involving Hind Rajab is still under review and declined further comment.

The world's biggest academic association of genocide scholars has passed a resolution stating that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. However, there is no available information about which government agency of the UN member state is responsible for investigating the incident involving Hind Rajab or has issued an official statement.

Top Hollywood names, including Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, and Brad Pitt, have taken on executive producer roles for the film. Palestinian actor Motaz Malhees experienced two panic attacks during the filming process, reflecting the emotional intensity of the project.

People in the audience chanted "Free, free Palestine." as the film concluded, carrying the weight of Hind's story and the struggles of her people, according to one of the actors, Saja Kilani. The film serves as a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of those affected by the conflict and a call for peace and justice.