Director Kaouther Ben Hania Discusses Her Docudrama ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ and Motivation to Bear Witness to Gaza Tragedy

Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, a two-time Oscar nominee, shifted her focus after hearing the real emergency call recording of six-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab in 2024, who pleaded for help while trapped in a car under fire in Gaza City during the Israel-Gaza war. Hind, along with family members and two paramedics sent to rescue her, was killed—likely by Israeli tank fire according to investigations by Forensic Architecture, Al Jazeera, Washington Post, and others, though the IDF has disputed full presence and is reviewing the case. The UN has referenced it in war crimes accusations against Israel, which denies them. Ben Hania’s docudrama ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ centers on the Palestinian Red Crescent call center volunteers in the West Bank, using the authentic audio of Hind’s calls blended with dramatized scenes of actors portraying the workers’ desperate efforts to coordinate a safe rescue route with Israeli approval. The film aims to provoke empathy rather than further explain facts, as Ben Hania sought to honor Hind’s voice, combat helplessness, and bear witness instead of remaining complicit. She obtained approval from Hind’s mother and worked with Palestinian-origin actors, some of whom experienced intense emotional reactions during filming. Released in UK cinemas, it earned a record 23-minute ovation at Venice, the Grand Jury Prize there, and support from stars like Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, and Rooney Mara as executive producers. Critics praise its emotional power and ethical approach, though some question the docudrama hybrid. Ben Hania hopes an expected Oscar nomination for best international feature will help the world remember Hind Rajab amid ongoing Gaza conflict.