Brad Pitt-Backed Film Tells Hind Rajab’s Story
The Voice of Hind Rajab: Brad Pitt-Backed Film on Gaza Tragedy Set for UK Release
The Voice of Hind Rajab, a powerful new drama backed by Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix, is set for release in UK cinemas this month. The film tells the harrowing story of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl whose death during Israel’s war in Gaza in January 2024 shocked the world.
A Story That Moved the World
Hind Rajab and six members of her family, the Hamadas, were attempting to flee violence in Gaza City when their car came under attack. Trapped and injured, Hind made desperate phone calls to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS), pleading for help as the situation around her deteriorated.
Recordings of these calls—released publicly—sparked global outrage and grief. Investigations by Sky News and The Washington Post later found that Israeli tanks were present in the area and were likely responsible for firing on civilians.
Inside The Voice of Hind Rajab
Directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, the 90-minute film blends Hind’s real voice with dramatized performances. The story unfolds almost entirely inside a PRCS call center in the West Bank, focusing on emergency workers who struggle for hours to secure permission for a rescue mission.
Rather than re-investigating the incident, the film immerses viewers in the emotional reality faced by Palestinians living under occupation. As daylight fades, audiences experience the agonizing wait alongside call handlers who refuse to abandon hope—even as bureaucratic obstacles and military protocols block every attempt at rescue.
One of the film’s most devastating moments comes when Hind whispers: “Please don’t leave me, I’m afraid of the dark.”
A Tragic Ending
After hours of negotiations, an ambulance was finally dispatched. As paramedics approached the family car, they confirmed they had emergency lights on but no siren. Moments later, communication abruptly ended amid the sound of heavy gunfire. Both paramedics were killed. Twelve days later, Hind, her family members, and the rescue workers were all found dead.
The Israel Defense Forces initially denied being present in the area, but later issued—and then deleted—a statement acknowledging operations in the Tel al Hawa neighborhood, where the killings occurred. A Sky News investigation confirmed the presence of Israeli tanks in the area at the time.
“The Magical Power of Cinema”
Speaking to Sky News, director Kaouther Ben Hania explained that the film is about empathy rather than explanation:
“This story was already investigated. I asked myself, what can cinema bring? Cinema has a magical power of empathy—you don’t just understand, you feel.”
Her aim, she said, was to show what it means to be Palestinian emergency workers whose mission to save lives is constantly obstructed.
Emotional Toll on Cast and Crew
Palestinian actor Motaz Malhees, who plays Omar—the first call handler to speak with Hind—described the filming process as emotionally overwhelming.
“Hearing her voice begging to be rescued made me feel completely powerless,” he said. “At times, I felt my heart was going to explode.”
Awards Buzz and Global Recognition
The Voice of Hind Rajab has already generated major awards buzz. It received a record 23-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival in 2025, where it won the Grand Jury Prize. The film is also considered a strong contender for the upcoming Academy Awards.
With its UK release imminent, The Voice of Hind Rajab is expected to reignite international discussion about Gaza, civilian casualties, and the human cost of war—through the voice of a child the world could not save.
