Tunisian film about a Gazan girl’s tragedy nominated for Oscar
Tunisia will be represented at the 98th Academy Awards in 2026, by a politically daring film about a Gazan girl called “The Voice of Hind Rajab”, as reported by Arab Weekly plus agencies on September 3rd.
Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, renowned for her Oscar-nominated “The Man Who Sold His Skin” and the documentary “Four Daughters”, has made this politically-charged film, which will have its national premiere taking place on September 10th, before its release across Tunisia on September 17th.
Ben Hania’s project has attracted significant international attention. Brad Pitt, Alfonso Cuaron, Joaquin Phoenix and Jonathan Glazer joined as executive producers, making the film one of the most internationally-supported Arab productions in recent history.
Pitt’s production company Plan B also backed previously award-winning works such as “12 Years a Slave” and “Moonlight”, known for their delicate and heart-wrenching exploration of socially significant topics.
Joaquin Phoenix, who is vocal on his artistic and political commitments, enhances the visibility of Ben Hania’s film as it prepares for its release.
“The Voice of Hind Rajab” presents the audio recording of a Palestinian girl’s final calls to Red Crescent paramedics and has been been filmed in just one location.
It recounts the horrific events of January 29th, 2024, where the six-year-old Hind Rajab is trapped inside a car in Gaza City as her family lay dead around her. She desperately called emergency services, but Rajab did not survive whilst her voice lived on.
The anticipated success of Ben Hania’s film, due to its powerful subject matter, occurs against the backdrop of Tunisia suppressing passionate pro-Palestine voices, who have expressed their anger at Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
Ben Hania’s cinematic voice is not the only recent development within the Tunisian film industry, with a Tunisian film recently being accepted into the Kaduna Film Festival.
Given the repression of pro-Palestine activists in Tunisia, there is hope the film does not just make an impact internationally but resonates at home as well.
Arab Weekly plus agencies, Maghrebi.org
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