‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’: An Exquisite 90 Minutes Of Drama And Heartbreak
There is something to be said with simple concepts that are executed remarkably well. A lot can be achieved with a small cast, scale and runtime. Simple events can rise to monolithic proportions in the eyes of the audience, assuming the filmmakers have done the work to achieve the stakes through the characters. The Voice of Hind Rajab takes the concept of a group of Red Crescent workers attempting to rescue small girl over the phone and makes the act of attempting to save one life into one of strong emotions, drama and utter heartbreak.
Written and directed by Kauther Ben Hania, The Voice of Hind Rajab is a French and Tunisian docudrama that debuted on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 and was released in France on Sunday, November 23, 2025. Based on real events and utilizing real recordings of the phone call, the film follows a group of Red Crescent workers who receive an emergency call from a 6-year-old girl. She is trapped in a car and under fire in Gaza during the Israeli invasion. She pleads for her rescue as the workers try to keep her on the line. The film has a Palestinian cast, starring Saja Kilani, Motaz Malhees, Amer Hlehel and Clara Khoury.
Over the course of 90 minutes, there is a high level of tension which is perfectly managed. The situation is made clear right from the start, with quick and effective introductions to the characters and the work that they do. Their investment in the situation, the emotional toll the work takes and their struggles with bureaucracy are all well set up before the emergency call comes in. Once it does, the film finds its stride and the following rollercoaster of emotions is both gripping and devastating.
The filmmaking on display clearly prioritises realism above all else. Handheld cameras are frequently used to give the film its documentary style, and to make the events that are unfolding feel as authentic as possible. There is certainly an ethical dilemma when it comes to using real audio from a real-life tragedy, as it can often be used as manipulative and can sometimes be seen as the filmmakers exploiting tragic events for the sake of drama. But here, the intentions are clear as the real phone call audio is used to enhance the authenticity of events. It feels real and thus the impact is more profound and effective. There are a few instances where the film break style, specifically a scene where a character talks about the sea in Gaza. It stands out as a strong moment due to the editing, as scenes of waves washing over lend to a distant and ethereal feeling. A tragic loss of something beautiful that lives on only in memory, much like Hind Rajab herself.
Further lending to the authenticity are the performances of the cast. The characters, while certainly not full three-dimensional, all feel realistic and each one’s individual stake in the situation and desire to preserve human life is enough for a viewer to get invested. As for the performances themselves, each individual brings just the right amount of passion and nuance to the situation whilst never overdoing it which would result in the drama being curtailed. Furthermore, each actor allows their character to be distinct, with Omar trying anything in his power to save Hind, Rana attempting to soothe and calm Hind over the phone and Mahdi attempting to get through the bureaucracy of the situation in an attempt to get an ambulance to the car. They all play off each other excellently and have genuine chemistry.
The conflict that ensues between them as personal feelings and grievances rise to the forefront is brilliant to watch unfold, but what makes it truly excellent is the constant lingering tension of Hind Rajab’s fate. Omar and Mahdi are butting heads with how to deal with the situation all the while they face pressure from not only the family of Hind, but also the Israeli military. Through all this, Hind’s life remains in the balance which provides a source of constant dread.
By the end of the film, the tragedy truly sets in. There is a momentary lull in tension as it seems all might just go right. The ambulance is on its way despite the debris in the area. But the film’s ending and message would not at all be effective if there wasn’t a tragic end as all hope is snuffed out in an instant. The phone line is cut suddenly, and the audience is left to interpret what might have happened from the characters’ reactions. The film ends with real images of the desolation, showing the audience in a blunt manner the fate of Hind Rajab. By presenting the death of a single person in a warzone as a massive tragic event that breaks the heart, there is a clear showcase of how this experience was not exclusive to Hind Rajab. Millions of Palestinians have suffered a similar fate and their deaths have had the same impact on others as one child has had on the workers of Red Crescent.
Overall, The Voice of Hind Rajab is a powerful piece of filmmaking. It is a tight 90 minutes that feels like it goes on for ages as the tension mounts and the characters grow more desperate. It is a call for humanity, to showcase the loss of life that continues to be felt today. It has great performances and a timeless message and is a film that will both captivate and devastate a viewer. Regardless of one’s stomach for such horrific subject matter, it is a film that should be seen at least once.