Film about Gaza child's killing receives 23‑minute ovation at Venice
Kaouther Ben Hania's re-enactment of six-year-old Hind Rajab's death drew prolonged applause and chants at the festival; high-profile actors joined as executive producers.
The film The Voice of Hind Rajab received a 23-minute standing ovation at its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, a response organizers and participants described as unusually long and thought to be a record for the event.
Director Kaouther Ben Hania’s re-enactment tells the story of six-year-old Hind Rajab, who was killed in January 2024 along with her cousins, aunt, uncle and two paramedics after their car was fired on by Israeli forces in Gaza City. The film’s depiction of the incident and its aftermath prompted sustained applause from the festival audience.
Actor Motaz Malhees, who appears in the film, waved a Palestinian flag during the standing ovation and drew audible sobs and chants of "free Palestine" from the crowd. The reaction to his appearance was among the most vocal moments at this year’s festival.
Several well-known filmmakers and actors have lent their names as executive producers. Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara are listed among the film’s executive producers and were present alongside Ben Hania and Malhees at the premiere, festival attendees said. Other executive producers who joined the project last week include Brad Pitt, Alfonso Cuarón and Jonathan Glazer.
Film festivals are known for lengthy ovations, and the 23-minute applause at Venice appears to eclipse the 22-minute ovation given to Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth at Cannes in 2006. Organizers and critics often treat prolonged standing ovations as a gauge of immediate audience sentiment, though they are not formal awards.
Ben Hania’s film reconstructs a widely reported January 2024 incident that prompted international attention and debate. By presenting the events through staged re-enactments, the director places focus on the victims and the personal dimensions of the tragedy. The premiere at Venice represents the film’s first public screening and is likely to shape its early critical reception and distribution prospects.
Festival screenings can amplify a film’s visibility and prompt public discussion. The reaction in Venice underscores the strong emotional response the subject continues to elicit and sets The Voice of Hind Rajab at the center of conversation as it moves beyond its festival debut.