Kaouther Ben Hania’s The Voice of Hind Rajab is frankly a difficult film to rate from a critical standpoint. It’s power and impact are so complete and devastating, the story and film stays with you long after the credits roll.
Based on a true story, the film takes place in the Palestinian Red Crescent Society call center on January 29, 2024. Red Cresent responder Omar (Motaz Malhees) takes a call from a concerned relative stating their family members were attacked in a car fleeing IDF forces. Omar calls a provided number and speaks to five-year-old Hind Rajab, the only survivor of the six members in the car. Fellow responder Rana (Saja Kilani) also speaks with Hind in order to keep her calm.
Red Cresent supervisor Mahdi (Amer Hlehel) attempts to dispatch rescuers to Hind’s location, but is consistently bogged down by literal and figurative roadblocks. Also assisted by responder Nisreen (Clara Khoury), the group each become increasingly frustrated as the call continues and help is no where in sight. Each worker strives to help Hind as quickly and safely as possible as the little girl keeps talking on the other side of the phone.
If this is stress of watching and listening to all this transpire, I can’t imagine actually being a part of that situation. Every adult character cannot fathom the lack of humanity present. And they each break down accordingly. Everyone is trying their absolute best within the restrictions of their world. But it’s just not good enough with all the bureaucracy in the way. While all of this frustration is happening, this poor girl is just trying to stay alive.
Much like Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet, it’s easy to point to emotional manipulation in order to substitute for impact. It’s impossible to argue the filmmakers weren’t attempting to illicit an emotional reaction. Of course they were, but they don’t need to embellish to increase the dramatic impact. For the sake of clarity, I’m sure some small details were changed. But the bulk of the action is pulled directly from actual recordings, and even transcends the film at one point. A late film scene has a character record another character’s actions, and the video on the cell phone shows the actual video recorded on the day. It’s a bit of a filmmaking trick, but it’s wildly effective.
Arguments can be made about this film exploiting the characters in order to create a film, but zero parts of this film feel commercial. There is a line that could be crossed that would belittle the anguish of the real-life characters, but that’s not the story this film wants to tell. Every single bit of action takes place inside the call center. Every large event taking place outside of the call center is audio only or on a large status screen. No dramatic reenactments. It doesn’t need to cross the line in order to get the reaction it wants. Life was dramatic enough.
Every cast member is exceptional in the role. Bursting out emotionally as you would if put in the situation. No one is the actual lead of the film, as they all blend perfectly into the ensemble. I was particularly impressed with the empathy and compassion shown by Kilani, while Malhees gets to lash out more emotionally. Hlehel might have the best performance, experiencing the most verbal abuse from every other character, but explaining how tied his hands are. It’s a frustrating experience for the characters and the audience.
I cannot speak highly enough about The Voice of Hind Rajab. Though it is an admittedly difficult, but vital film to watch. It’s also one of the best films of 2025, or any other year.