Hind Rajab's Voice Silences Venice 22-Minute Ovation Erupts in Tears and Defiance

‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ Stuns Venice With 22-Minute Ovation Amid Tears and Calls for Freedom

The Venice Film Festival bore witness to an intensely moving premiere of "The Voice of Hind Rajab," a film that left few in the Sale Grande with dry eyes. This powerful drama, directed by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, tells the heart-wrenching true story of five-year-old Palestinian girl, Hind Rajab.

The film received an astounding 22-minute standing ovation, marking the longest applause of the festival thus far. Even as the theater lights dimmed in an attempt to encourage dispersal after the 20-minute mark, the clapping and cheering persisted, a testament to the film’s profound impact.

The Tragic Story of Hind Rajab

In January 2024, while attempting to flee Gaza City with her family, Hind's vehicle was struck by shelling, tragically killing her uncle, aunt, and three cousins. Hind was left alone in the car, desperately communicating with the Palestinian Red Cross Society as paramedics tried to reach her. Ultimately, Hind and the paramedics were found dead. Media investigations suggest that an Israeli tank fired 335 rounds into the vehicle. The film incorporates the chilling phone recording of Hind's voice.

During the emotionally charged ovation, attendees displayed Palestinian flags and chanted "Free Palestine," underscoring the film's powerful message and its connection to the broader political context.

Hollywood Support and Golden Lion Buzz

Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara, who served as executive producers on the film, were present at the premiere. They held a photo of Hind Rajab on the red carpet alongside the filmmaking team. Phoenix also sported an "Artists for Ceasefire" pin, demonstrating their solidarity.

Before its official screening, "The Voice of Hind Rajab" was already generating buzz as a potential frontrunner for the coveted Golden Lion award. The overwhelmingly emotional reception at the premiere seems to solidify this prediction.

A Call to Action

At the film's press conference, actress Saja Kilani delivered a powerful statement on behalf of the entire filmmaking team:

• "Isn’t it enough? Enough of the mass killing, the starvation, the destruction, the dehumanization, the ongoing occupation."
• "Hind’s story carries the weight of an entire people, it is not hers alone."
• "Her voice is one amongst 19000 children who lost their lives in Gaza in the last two years alone."

Kilani emphasized the urgent need to address the ongoing suffering:

“Hind’s story is about a child crying out, ‘Save me.’ And the haunting question is: how have we let a child beg for life and go unheard? No one can live in peace while even one child is still fighting for life. Let Hind Rajab’s voice echo in every theatre, let it remind you of the silence the world has built around Gaza, let it name the genocide that silence protects and let it pierce the word: enough.”

Giving Voice to the Voiceless

Director Kaouther Ben Hania expressed hope that the involvement of prominent figures like Phoenix and Mara would "mean something" in shifting the narrative surrounding the conflict. She stated:

"We’ve seen that the narrative around the world is that those dying in Gaza are collateral damage. This is so dehumanizing. And that’s why cinema, art and every kind of expression is very important — to give those people a voice and a face."

“The Voice of Hind Rajab” serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict and the power of cinema to amplify marginalized voices. Its impact at the Venice Film Festival underscores its significance and its potential to spark meaningful dialogue and change.

Tags: Venice Film Festival, Hind Rajab, Palestinian girl, Gaza, Kaouther Ben Hania, film premiere, standing ovation, The Voice of Hind Rajab, Tunisian director, film

Source: https://variety.com/2025/film/festivals/voice-of-hind-rajab-venice-premiere-standing-ovation-1236505878/