Kaouther Ben Hania

Source: Aleksander Kalka/La Biennale di Venezia

Kaouther Ben Hania

Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania has detailed how high-profile executive producers including Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix boarded her film The Voice Of Hind Rajab; and responded to a question about the ethics of the Venice Competition title.

“When we were at the end of editing, we asked Jim [Wilson] and Odessa [Rae], our producers on the movie,” said Ben Hania of attaching the high-profile names. “We tried to show the movie to several people, and they said yes, they are there to support the movie.

“I’m very happy, and I never in my life thought that can be possible. So I’m very grateful for their support,” said Ben Hania.

Ben Hania was also asked whether the willingness of such high-profile talent to join the film meant that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is losing “the culture war in Hollywood” around the conflict in Gaza.

“I have no idea, but the fact that all those names joined means something, and I think things should change,” said Ben Hania. “We’ve seen the narrative all around the world that those dying are collateral damage in the media. This is so dehumanising and that’s why cinema, art, every kind of expression is very important to give those people a voice and face.”

Last week Pitt and Phoenix were among several high-profile talents to join the film as executive producers, alongside Rooney Mara, Alfonso Cuaron and Jonathan Glazer.

The Voice Of Hind Rajab dramatises an incident from January 2024, when five-year-old girl Hind Rajab was killed by Israeli forces during the Israeli invasion of the Gaza strip, alongside six members of her family and two paramedics coming to her rescue.

Rajab and her family were fleeing Gaza City when their vehicle was shelled, killing five members of her family. She then spent several hours on the phone to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) asking for help. She was found dead on February 10.

Ethics

Wilson and Rae were present in the audience at the film’s Venice press conference, while Ben Hania was joined on the panel by her cast.

The film uses the real recordings of Rajab’s call to the PRCS, as well as photos of her. Ben Hania also responded to a question about the ethical context of using such materials without the subject’s consent; Rajab’s mother has given her full consent for their use and has collaborated with Ben Hania.

“I’ve already heard this argument. It’s a key talking point,” said Ben Hania. “When you amplify the voices of Palestinians, you are personally accused of being exploitative – it’s another way to silence you. I have nothing to answer to this.”

The conference began with a standing ovation from many members of the assembled press, in front of the film team who were also standing.

Actress Saja Kilani then read a statement to the press, saying, “On behalf of all of us actors: Isn’t it enough? Enough of the mass killing, the starvation, the dehumanization, the destruction, the ongoing occupation.

“Hind’s voice is one amongst tens of thousands of children who were killed in the last two years. It is the voice of every daughter and every son with the right to live, to dream, to exist in dignity and all of it is stolen in front of unblinking eyes.

“Behind every number is a story that never got to be told. Her story is about a child crying out. No one can live in peace when even one child was forced to plead for survival.”

Cast members Motaz Malhees, Clara Khoury and Amer Hlehel were present alongside Kilani and Ben Hania. 

After its Venice debut this evening, the film will head to Toronto for its North American premiere. It has already been selected as Tunisia’s entry for the international feature Oscar at next year’s Academy Awards.

The Party Film Sales handles international sales, with CAA Media Finance representing the US.

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