VENICE, Italy (AP) – In January 2024, a tragic story unfolded in Gaza City when 6-year-old Hind Rajab found herself trapped inside a bullet-riddled car. During a distressing phone call, she pleaded for rescue. Unfortunately, contact was lost with the first ambulance, and 12 days later, Hind, along with five family members and two medics, were found dead.

The impact of Hind's story, particularly the audio from her desperate call, has been profound. It has inspired songs, protest movements, and now a film by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania. Titled “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” the film premiered at the Venice Film Festival and portrays the urgent and heartbreaking narrative set within the dispatch center of the Palestine Red Crescent Society rescue service. It utilizes the actual audio from Hind's call, with actors portraying the first responders involved.

“When you hear her voice you feel powerless,” Ben Hania remarked in a recent interview. The documentary sheds light on a tragic aspect of the Israel-Hamas war. Hind’s cousin, Layan, who was also in the car, reported that Israeli forces were shooting at them before she was killed. The Red Crescent alleged that their ambulance was fired upon by Israeli troops. The military acknowledged the incident but stated it is “still under review,” without providing further details.

Deeply moved by the audio shared widely on social media during the 12 days of uncertainty, Ben Hania felt an urgent need to act. “I felt like she was asking me to rescue her,” she explained, acknowledging the sorrow of the tragedy that had already occurred. Her dedication to telling Hind's story intensified after listening to the complete recordings of the calls that day, prompting her to prioritize this project over a previously scheduled one.

Ben Hania reached out to Hind’s mother, Wissam Hamadah, who supported the project and shared memories of her daughter, including her aspirations of becoming a dentist and her love for the sea. The casting of the film was also critical, as Ben Hania insisted on including Palestinian actors such as Saja Kilani, Motaz Malhees, Clara Khoury, and Amer Hlehel.

The film presents itself as an emotional rescue mission filled with urgency and bureaucracy, much like a Hollywood thriller, but without a happy ending. Ben Hania noted that the real-life event is “beyond fiction,” emphasizing that there was no need for creative embellishment in the story. “The recording starts with her cousin dying. And now there is another child who we must rescue,” she said.

Deciding against graphic imagery of a child in distress, Ben Hania’s camera remains focused within the Red Crescent, aiming to offer a fresh perspective on horror. “For me, it wasn’t interesting to show the images of the horror because we see them all over the internet. It’s like the world became insensitive,” she stated. “The choice to tell the story from this perspective was the best way. I felt like I was given something sacred—the voice of this little girl.”

Throughout the film's making, emotions ran high, with crew members often brought to tears. Actors, too, responded to Hind’s real voice, reciting nearly verbatim what their counterparts had said during the crisis. “It was beyond acting,” Ben Hania commented.

“The Voice of Hind Rajab” is poised to be one of the festival's most impactful films and is being considered for awards. Following its completion, notable figures like Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, and Alfonso Cuarón joined as executive producers. Additionally, Tunisia has announced that the film will represent the country for the Best International Feature at the Oscars. Ben Hania boasts two previous Oscar nominations for her documentaries, including “Four Daughters” and “The Man Who Sold His Skin.”

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has overshadowed the film festival, leading to protests and debates regarding the politics of film funding and representation. As reported, over 63,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the 22-month conflict, triggered by Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant civilian casualties. While most hostages from that incident have been released, there are still 48 unaccounted for in Gaza, with around 20 believed to be alive.

Ben Hania expressed hope that “The Voice of Hind Rajab” will reach audiences worldwide, despite currently lacking a theatrical distribution in North America. “I don’t want to tell the audience what to take away from the film, I just want them to see it.”

For comprehensive coverage of the 2025 Venice Film Festival, visit https://apnews.com/hub/venice-film-festival.