Hollywood stars Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Jonathan Glazer, and Alfonso Cuarón have joined as executive producers on Kaouther Ben Hania’s (Instagram) The Voice of Hind Rajab, a powerful new drama set for its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on September 3. Their involvement adds significant global weight to a film already carrying an urgent political and human resonance.
The Tunisian filmmaker, nominated for an Oscar last year for Four Daughters, reconstructs the tragic story of six-year-old Hind Rajab, killed in Gaza in January 2024. After Israeli forces opened fire on her family’s car as they tried to flee Gaza City, Hind placed desperate calls to Red Crescent volunteers from inside the bullet-riddled vehicle, pleading for help. Hours later, she was found dead alongside her relatives. Two paramedics who attempted to reach her were also killed.
The film is anchored in audio recordings of Hind’s calls, transforming them into both testimony and memorial. Speaking about her decision to make the film, Ben Hania said: “I cannot accept a world where a child calls for help and no one comes. Cinema can preserve a memory. Cinema can resist amnesia. May Hind Rajab’s voice be heard.”
Investigations into Hind’s death have disputed Israel’s claims that no troops were in the area at the time. Independent reports by The Washington Post and Sky News confirmed the presence of Israeli tanks, while Al Jazeera documented 335 bullet holes in the family’s car.
Produced by Nadim Cheikhrouha (Mime/Tanit Films), Odessa Rae (RaeFilm Studios), and James Wilson (JW Films), the film has already secured European distribution through The Party Film Sales, with CAA Media Finance handling North America.
The Venice premiere is expected to be one of the festival’s most politically charged moments. With the war in Gaza dominating headlines and sparking protest at the Lido, The Voice of Hind Rajab stands as a cinematic act of remembrance and resistance, ensuring that a child’s plea for help, once ignored, will now echo on the world stage.
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