The Voice of Hind Rajab, the Gaza-set drama that received an emotional 21-minute ovation at the Venice Film Festival following its world premiere, has secured U.S. distribution.
Indie Willa has set a Dec. 17 release in New York City and Los Angeles ahead of a national rollout for the Venice Silver Lion Grand Jury winner based on the final, real-life calls of 6-year-old Hind Rajab, who was trapped in a car in Gaza before being killed by Israeli tank fire.
“We’re looking forward to partnering with Willa on the distribution of our film.After weighing numerous opportunities, we chose to keep this release in the family, Willa brings thoughtfulness and vision to distribution, and together we’re building a release that honors the spirit in which the film was created,” the film’s producers, Nadim Cheikhrouha, Odessa Rae and James Wilson, said in a joint statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.
The Voice of Hind Rajab is based on true events and the calls of 6-year-old Hind Rajab, who was trapped in a car in Gaza on Jan. 29, 2024, after Israeli tank fire killed her relatives. The Palestine Red Crescent Society stayed on the line with the child for more than an hour as she pleaded for rescue.
An ambulance sent to reach her was itself destroyed, killing the two medics on board. Hind’s voice — fragments of which spread online and were later verified and analyzed by outlets including The Washington Post, Sky News and Forensic Architecture — became one of the most haunting and emblematic testaments of the war in Gaza.
“As one of the executive producers of the film, I’m honored that my distribution company can serve the cause of sharing the film with audiences. It’s a powerful work that demands to be experienced in theaters, and we’re proud to champion it alongside the producers Nadim, Odessa, Jim and my fellow executive producers to ensure it reaches the widest possible audience,” added Elizabeth Woodward, CEO and founder of Willa, in her own statement.
Ahead of the Venice festival, Brad Pitt, Joaquin Phoenix, Alfonso Cuaron and Jonathan Glazer boarded The Voice of Hind Rajab as executive producers, boosting the film’s profile and debut.
Ben Hania wrote and directed the film, which stars Saja Kilani, Motaz Malhees, Amer Hlehel and Clara Khoury. The producer credits are shared by Nadim Cheikhrouha, Odessa Rae and James Wilson, while Willa’s Elizabeth Woodward, Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Glazer and Cuaron executive produce.
