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The film "The Voice of Hind Rajab," which tells the story of 6-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab who lost her life while trapped in a car under Israeli fire in Gaza, was presented at a special screening in Istanbul, drawing attention to both its cinematic impact and its human story.
The screening took place at Atlas 1948 Cinema and brought together representatives from the Turkish film sector as well as members of Hind Rajab’s family.
Speaking to the press, Sinema General Director Birol Guven from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism described the film as one of the most striking and unsettling works of recent years, noting that it reflects the scale of tragedy and mass violence experienced in Gaza. He underlined that the narrative relies on authentic audio recordings, including calls made to the Palestinian Red Crescent, an emergency medical organization operating in Palestinian territories.
Guven stressed that the film avoids exaggerated rhetoric and instead builds its impact through a restrained artistic language. He said viewers are shaken by the voice of a young child asking for help, emphasizing that the entire story is constructed around those real calls. Although the film runs for 89 minutes, he added that its pacing makes time seem to stand still.
Guven also drew attention to the conditions under which the film was produced and distributed. He explained that the project does not stand behind major production companies or large advertising budgets, and that official institutions in Türkiye have been making a special effort to help the film reach audiences. He called on Turkish cinema-goers to show particular interest in the screening, noting that both the President of Türkiye and his wife supported the film’s promotion, including a large gala event held earlier in Ankara.
From an artistic perspective, Guven described the film as significant for both arthouse audiences and viewers interested in stories focused on Palestine, adding that it stands out as a powerful and unsettling example of contemporary cinema.
Members of Hind Rajab’s family also attended the screening and shared their reflections. Emir Hamada, who lost five relatives in the same attack in which Hind was killed, said that having the story heard in Türkiye and internationally helped ease their pain, even if only slightly.
Hind’s uncle, Ihab Hamada, thanked both the film’s team and Türkiye for hosting them. He said that what Hind experienced happens repeatedly across different parts of Palestine, but that turning her killing into a film and making it visible to the world brings some relief to grieving families. He expressed hope that the film would help expose the severity of the violence in Gaza and prompt a broader international response.
The "Voice of Hind Rajab" is a joint production by the United States, France, and Tunisia, directed by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania. The film has received multiple awards at international festivals, including nine honors at the Venice Film Festival, among them the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize. It has also been nominated for both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award in the Best Foreign Film category.
The story centers on events that took place on Jan. 29, 2024, in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City. A car carrying Hind Rajab and her relatives was hit by Israeli fire while driving through the area. Several family members were killed at the initial stage of the attack. Hind and her 15-year-old cousin, Leyan Hamade, survived long enough to call the Palestinian Red Crescent for help. Audio recordings released the following day documented their pleas for assistance. Both children later died, and investigations found that hundreds of bullets struck the vehicle.
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