Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania was profoundly impacted by the voice of five-year-old Hind Rajab, who pleaded for help as Israeli forces surrounded her family’s car in Gaza in January 2024. Ben Hania encountered the harrowing audio recording on social media at a Los Angeles airport while campaigning for her film "Four Daughters." This auditory experience transcended a mere artistic choice, becoming an undeniable artistic and moral imperative. She articulated, "Once you hear her voice, you can’t unhear it," explaining that it wasn't a conscious decision but a visceral response that led her to halt work on another film. The overwhelming feelings of helplessness, sadness, and anger she experienced demanded an immediate artistic and human response.

This intense impulse culminated in "The Voice of Hind Rajab," a Tunisia–France co-production that has been recognized as one of the most urgent and emotionally devastating films of the year. The narrative feature meticulously reconstructs the efforts of a Red Crescent response team as they race against time to rescue the trapped child, critically incorporating the authentic audio recordings of Hind's desperate conversations with dispatchers. The film debuted at the prestigious Venice Film Festival, where it garnered one of the longest standing ovations of the entire event. Its significance was further underscored by its selection as Tunisia’s official submission for the Academy Awards, ultimately landing on the Oscar shortlist for best international feature.

Ben Hania’s directorial approach was characterized by a strict adherence to ethical restraint, balanced with the urgent necessity of storytelling. She stated in an interview with Variety’s "Awards Circuit Podcast" that Hind’s voice had to be the absolute center of the film. Her decision to employ a narrative reenactment rather than a traditional documentary was rooted in profound questions of perspective and responsibility. She emphasized that depicting what transpired inside the car or showing Hind herself was never an option, aligning with historical ethical considerations faced by filmmakers addressing genocidal events. "Showing the death of a child is not ethical," she firmly asserted, prioritizing dignity and avoiding exploitation.

The journey of the film, from its Venice premiere to wider distribution, has been fraught with challenges, a reality Ben Hania had anticipated from the outset. She acknowledged that starting such a project "at a time when conversation was almost impossible" would inevitably lead to a difficult path, where the film would be heavily scrutinized, requiring relentless fact-checking. Despite these anticipated hurdles, audience reactions have shown remarkable consistency, with viewers frequently describing the experience as profoundly emotionally overwhelming and transformative. As the awards season continues and "The Voice of Hind Rajab" reaches broader audiences, Ben Hania remains steadfast in her primary objective: to ensure that Hind Rajab’s voice and story are never forgotten.

In a poignant moment, Ben Hania recently met with Hind’s mother, who has since been evacuated from Gaza, at the Doha Film Festival. Though Hind’s mother has found herself unable to watch the film, she has attended screenings to witness the powerful emotional responses of the audience. Ben Hania revealed that since Hind’s mother was unable to provide a proper funeral for her daughter in Gaza, being present with the audience and observing their reactions has been deeply consoling, providing her with a much-needed sense of strength. This interview with Ben Hania was featured on Variety’s "Awards Circuit" podcast, which offers discussions, interviews, and debates on film and television awards, available on various podcast platforms.