This film matters because it sheds light on the harsh realities faced by civilians in conflict zones, particularly children. By using real voices and experiences, it aims to evoke empathy and raise awareness about the ongoing violence in Gaza.

Venice film festival In an audacious move, director Kaouther Ben Hania reconstructs the killing of the five-year-old in Gaza using her real voice as she is bombarded by the Israeli armyThere can be no doubt about which movie has set the Venice film festival ablaze – it is this one, from Tunisian film-maker Kaouther Ben Hania. The Voice of Hind Rajab is about the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/10/im-so-scared-please-come-hind-rajab-six-found-dead-in-gaza-12-days-after-cry-for-help">horrifying ordeal of the five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab</a>, who was killed in 2024 by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Gaza in her uncle’s car along with six family members, and two paramedics who tried to come to her rescue. Rajab herself, who survived the original assault by the IDF which killed those around her, stayed on the phone for hours to the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), desperately begging for help. With startling audacity, Ben Hania has used the real audio recording of Rajab’s heart-wrenching voice, while fictionally reconstructing the drama of the emergency responders in their call-centre office, with real people played by actors, talking, shouting and emoting in response to Rajab’s actual voice.<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/sep/03/the-voice-of-hind-rajab-gets-23-minute-ovation-at-venice-film-festival">The result was greeted with a 23-minute standing ovation</a> at Venice, about a quarter of the film’s running time, with journalists and festival attenders reportedly sobbing in the auditorium. Since that passionate reception, others have wondered if there is not <a href="https://variety.com/2025/film/news/the-voice-of-hind-rajab-review-1236505658/">something questionable or exploitative</a> in presenting this authentic shattering recording in a Hollywoodised suspense drama, getting actors to cry and rage alongside a kind of docufictional hologram, almost instructing the audience in how they too should be responding. I wonder. Perhaps Ben Hania’s high-concept idea is debatable, and it might have been just as moving to present this extraordinary real-life recording in the straightforward documentary context of interviews with the responders and emergency workers. This might have made clearer what happened from their point of view, why they were impeded from helping Rajab and what continues to hinder them. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/sep/04/the-voice-of-hind-rajab-review-provocative-docufiction-is-fierce-urgent-and-heart-shattering">Continue reading...</a>

تكتسب هذه الفيلم أهمية لأنها تسلط الضوء على الحقائق القاسية التي يواجهها المدنيون في مناطق النزاع، وخاصة الأطفال. من خلال استخدام أصوات وتجارب حقيقية، تهدف إلى إثارة التعاطف وزيادة الوعي حول العنف المستمر في غزة.

صوت هند رجب، من إخراج كاوثر بن هنية، يصور بقوة مقتل طفلة تبلغ من العمر خمس سنوات في غزة، مستخدمًا صوتها الحقيقي وسط فوضى القصف. أصبحت هذه الفيلم بارزًا في مهرجان فينيسيا السينمائي.

Esta película es importante porque arroja luz sobre las duras realidades que enfrentan los civiles en zonas de conflicto, especialmente los niños. Al utilizar voces y experiencias reales, busca evocar empatía y crear conciencia sobre la violencia continua en Gaza.

La Voz de Hind Rajab, dirigida por Kaouther Ben Hania, retrata poderosamente el trágico asesinato de una niña de cinco años en Gaza, utilizando su verdadera voz en medio del caos de los bombardeos. Esta película se ha convertido en un destacado en el Festival de Cine de Venecia.

Ce film est important car il met en lumière les dures réalités vécues par les civils dans les zones de conflit, en particulier les enfants. En utilisant de vraies voix et expériences, il vise à susciter l'empathie et à sensibiliser à la violence persistante à Gaza.

La Voix de Hind Rajab, réalisée par Kaouther Ben Hania, dépeint puissamment le meurtre tragique d'une fillette de cinq ans à Gaza, utilisant sa vraie voix au milieu du chaos des bombardements. Ce film est devenu un incontournable du Festival du Film de Venise.

The Voice of Hind Rajab, directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, powerfully depicts the tragic killing of a five-year-old in Gaza, using her real voice amidst the chaos of bombardment. This film has become a standout at the Venice Film Festival.

The Voice of Hind Rajab review – docufiction is fierce, vehement and heart-shattering

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