Gaza Drama “The Voice of Hind Rajab” Electrifies Venice Premiere

Venice, Italy - At today’s world premiere of “The Voice of Hind Rajab” during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, director Kaouther Ben Hania’s harrowing Gaza-set drama received an unprecedented response from the audience.

The film, which recounts the final pleas of a six-year-old Palestinian girl trapped in a car under Israeli fire, was met with a 22-minute standing ovation, marking the longest applause of this year’s festival and eclipsing previous records. As the credits rolled in Sala Grande on Wednesday evening, viewers chanted “Free Palestine,” hoisted Palestinian flags, and waved keffiyehs in solidarity.

During the afternoon press conference, lead actress Saja Kilani spoke on behalf of the cast and crew, urging an end to the violence in Gaza. “Enough of the mass killings, the starvation, the dehumanization, the destruction, and the persistent occupation,” she declared. “This film embodies the voice of every child entitled to live, dream, and exist with dignity”.

Ben Hania, who has been candid about her fears of doing justice to Hind Rajab’s legacy, expressed relief at the overwhelming reception. “When I first heard Hind’s voice, it was more than just her calling-it was the voice of Gaza pleading for assistance,” she told reporters, emphasizing the power of cinema to give a face and voice to those caught in conflict.

The film weaves authentic audio recordings of Hind Rajab’s frantic phone calls with dramatic reenactments of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society operators who desperately sought permission to send aid. According to a recent U.N. report, Hind and two paramedics sent to rescue her were killed when an ambulance was destroyed en route, and investigations have challenged the Israel Defense Forces’ initial claims of noninvolvement.

With its emotional intensity and political resonance, “The Voice of Hind Rajab” has quickly become one of the frontrunners for the Golden Lion, due to be awarded on September 6. Tunisia has officially selected the film as its submission for the Best International Feature category at the upcoming Academy Awards.