Venice: Kaouther Ben Hanias powerful Gaza docudrama The Voice of Hind Rajab won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize, the second-highest honour, at the Venice Film Festival on Saturday. The Tunisian director's latest film recounts the events of January 29, 2024, when the five-year-old Hind Rajab was the sole survivor in a car hit by Israeli forces while trying to escape with her family in Gaza.
According to TRTworld.com, during the attack, Hind made a desperate phone call to Red Crescent volunteers pleading for help. Volunteers tried to maintain contact and summon an ambulance, but both the vehicle and the girl were struck before help could arrive.
She stressed that this is not just Hinds story but also the story of the criminal Israeli regime that acts with impunity. Emphasising that the story is also about urgency, she noted that Hinds family and countless families in Gaza still face danger, fear, and hunger under daily bombardment, and urged world leaders to act.
May Hind rest in peace, may the eyes of her killers never sleep, and free Palestine, she said. Earlier, at the films premiere, the screening got a rapturous response from the audience, including a standing ovation lasting more than 22 minutes.
The festivals Golden Lion for best film went to Jim Jarmuschs Father Mother Sister Brother, while Benny Safdie got the Silver Lion for best director with The Smashing Machine.
