A Poignant Message from the Mother of the Martyred Hind Rajab After Her Film’s Venice Win

The film "The Voice of Hind Rajab," directed by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, won the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival. The film tells the story of the Palestinian child Hind Rajab, who was martyred by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.

In a powerful acceptance speech, Ben Hania dedicated the award to the Palestinian Red Crescent and all aid workers who risk their lives to save others in Gaza, calling them "true heroes."

Ben Hania stated that "Hind's voice is the voice of Gaza itself, a cry for help that the entire world could hear, but no one answered." She added that cinema may not be able to bring Hind back or erase the atrocities, but it can "preserve her voice and make it resonate across borders." She believes Hind's story is the story of an entire people "suffering genocide at the hands of a criminal Israeli regime that acts with impunity."

A Call to Save Her Family and a Plea for Justice

In a moving moment, Ben Hania shared a message from Hind's mother, Wissam, who is still in Gaza with her younger son, Iyad. The mother asked Ben Hania to share her words: "I want to thank you... and I hope the world does not forget that Hind is not the only story in Gaza... I hope this film helps to stop the war."

Ben Hania made an urgent appeal to world leaders to save Hind's family, asserting that their survival is not a matter of charity, but "a matter of justice, humanity, and the least they deserve from the world." She concluded her speech with a quote from Nelson Mandela: "We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians."

Film and Production Details

"The Voice of Hind Rajab" recounts the martyrdom of 6-year-old Hind, who was trying to escape an Israeli attack with her family in January 2024. The film revolves around an emergency call received by Red Crescent volunteers from a child, Hind's cousin, Layan Hamada, trapped in a car under fire. After Layan's martyrdom, Hind, trapped among the bodies of her family, speaks to the rescuers and pleads for help with poignant words.

Directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, the film has renowned executive producers, including Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, and Rooney Mara. The cast includes Palestinian actors Moataz Malis, Clara Khoury, Amer Hlehel, and Saja Kilan.