(3 Sep 2025)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Venice, Italy – 3 September 2025
1. Wide shot Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara arrive, director Kaouther Ben Hania walks past in foreground
2. Wide shot group photo L-R: Saja Kilani, Kaouther Ben Hania, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees, Nadim Cheikhrouha, Odessa Rae, Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix, Andrea Romeio and Amer Hlehel
3. Close L-R pan of group photo, as Motaz Malhees holds image of Hind Rajab
4. Close up Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara walk
5. Medium pan (L-R): Amer Hlehel, Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees, Kaouther Ben Hania, Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix, James Wilson, Odessa Rae, Nadim Cheikhrouha and Andrea Romeio, pull to wide as applause heard
6. Medium, Joaquin Phoenix walks as group disperses
7. Medium Amer Hlehel, Motaz Malhees, Clara Khoury and Saja Kilani pose with image of Hind Rajab
8. Close up Rooney Mara
9. Medium festival director Alberto Barbera poses in group photo
AP VIDEO SHOT BY: Adam Egan
STORYLINE:
Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara joined director Kaouther Ben Hania and her cast for the world premiere in Venice competition of "The Voice of Hind Rajab" – expected to be one of the most affecting films of the festival and awards season.
Phoenix and Mara were among the A-listers who joined as executive producers, after the Gaza-set film was completed and selected for Venice.
In January 2024, a 6-year-old girl trapped inside a bullet-riddled car in Gaza City begged for someone to rescue her. Contact was lost with the first ambulance. Hind Rajab, five family members and two medics were found dead 12 days later.
The impact of the story, and the audio of Hind’s voice from that call, has been vast, inspiring songs and protest movements.
The Tunisian veteran documentary maker set the film entirely inside the dispatch center of the Palestine Red Crescent Society rescue service. The film uses the real audio of Hind’s call, while actors portray the first responders.
The cast includes Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees and Amer Hlehel.
Phoenix and Mara posed for photos at the premiere with the Tunisian filmmaker and her cast, who held up an image of Hind Rajab.
Brad Pitt, Alfonso Cuarón and Jonathan Glazer are also executive producers.
Tunisia has decided “The Voice of Hind Rajab” will be its candidate for best international feature at the Oscars.
Kaouther Ben Hania’s film "Four Daughters" was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards in 2024.
The conflict in Gaza has loomed over the festival from its start, with calls to disinvite actors for their views, questions to filmmakers and actors about an indie film company’s funding ties to the Israeli military, and a large-scale protest that drew thousands this weekend.
The Health Ministry says over 63,000 Palestinians have been killed in the 22-month war, which began when Hamas-led militants abducted 251 hostages and killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals, but 48 remain in Gaza, with around 20 believed to be alive.
The 82nd Venice International Film Festival runs through September 6th.
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