Shortly before the film went on to win the Ajyal Competition Best Feature Film Award, Ben Hania sat down with us to reflect on the emotional genesis of the project, the artistic choices that shaped its hybrid form, and the responsibility she felt in safeguarding the power of Hind’s voice.
AM: This film clearly came from a place of deep emotion. Can you describe your personal journey while making The Voice of Hind Rajab?
Kaouther Ben Hania: When I first heard Hind Rajab’s voice online, I was in a very dark emotional place. I was questioning the role of a filmmaker at a time when unimaginable tragedies were unfolding. Hearing her voice had a profound impact on me, it made me feel helpless, but also ignited a need to act. Listening to the original recordings was one of the most painful experiences of my life. I would listen, stop, cry, and return to them again. But I felt a responsibility to continue, to transform this grief into a film. The shoot itself was emotionally draining, we were mourning this little girl every day.
AM: Your work often blends fiction and documentary. How did you decide on the form for this film?
Kaouther Ben Hania: I’ve always been fascinated by the border between fiction and documentary. For Hind’s story, a purely documentary format felt insufficient for conveying the urgency and emotional shock I felt upon hearing her voice. The hybrid approach, reenactments grounded in reality, allowed me to communicate that immediacy and emotional weight. The form wasn’t imposed; it emerged naturally from the story’s needs.
AM: And why Hind’s story specifically?
Kaouther Ben Hania: There are millions of people in Gaza who share similar experiences, they are not numbers, they are human stories. Hind’s voice became a symbol of this larger cry for help, of a population calling out while the world watched and aid was blocked. Individual stories resonate more deeply with audiences than statistics. Hind’s story became a vessel through which the broader tragedy could be understood.
AM: How did you approach casting, especially since you wanted the performances to feel grounded in reality?
Kaouther Ben Hania: It was essential to find actors who physically resembled the real people involved so the performances felt authentic. For some roles, I already knew their work. For others, we conducted extensive casting through self-tapes. I also connected each actor with their real-life counterpart, allowing them to form deep bonds, many became close friends, which enriched their performances profoundly.
AM: Why did you choose actors for the Red Crescent staff but keep the real voice of Hind in the film?
Kaouther Ben Hania: I did consider making a pure documentary, but it couldn’t recreate the emotional experience of hearing Hind’s real voice. When I listened to her call, it felt like she was speaking to me in the present moment. Re-recording her voice would have diminished its power. Cinema is meant to evoke empathy, not just convey facts. Hind’s voice is the film’s beating heart, and it had to remain as it was.
AM: The film unfolds in a single space, the Red Crescent center. How did you manage to sustain tension over 90 minutes?
Kaouther Ben Hania: It was a conscious choice. I could have chosen other viewpoints, Hind’s, her mother’s, even the perspective of the tank, but the Red Crescent space felt the most truthful and impactful. This story is raw reality. The events themselves were already more powerful than anything fiction could create. Even reading about her death is heartbreaking; seeing it dramatized adds another layer of emotional intensity.
AM: The film has moved audiences worldwide and earned major awards. What do you think explains this global reaction?
Kaouther Ben Hania: Our goal was always to amplify Hind’s voice beyond the Arab world. That’s why we reached out to figures like Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix, to help the film transcend the “foreign film” category and find a wider audience. But ultimately, it is the raw emotional truth of Hind’s story that resonates most deeply with people.
AM: As you move into awards season, what are your hopes for the film’s impact?
Kaouther Ben Hania: This project has been an emotional rollercoaster. My hope is that Hind’s voice continues to be heard, one that sparks empathy, reflection, and action. If her story can change even one person’s perspective, then the film has fulfilled its purpose.