As the BAFTA Film Awards approach on February 22 in London, one of the most talked-about nominations isn’t powered by spectacle or star power, but by a child’s voice that the world couldn’t ignore. The Voice of Hind Rajab has earned a BAFTA nod for Best Film Not in the English Language, a recognition that feels as heavy as it is well-deserved.
A Story Told Through a Phone Call
Directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, the film centers on one devastating truth: the final three-hour phone call of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl trapped in a bullet-riddled car in Gaza. Using real recordings with Palestine Red Crescent dispatchers, the film follows her cries for help as rescuers struggle to reach her under active fire.
Facts That Follow the Silence
Israeli authorities initially denied involvement, but later investigations told a different story. The car was hit hundreds of times at close range, tanks were nearby, and even the ambulance sent to help was struck. The filmdocuments, and lets the truth land where it may.
Why It’s Resonating Globally
After a historic premiere at Venice, where it earned a record-breaking standing ovation lasting over 20 minutes and the Silver Lion, the film has collected over 15 awards and major nominations, including the Oscars and Golden Globes. With an all-Palestinian cast and a restrained, human approach, it’s being embraced not just as cinema, but as witness.
The Last Word
Whether or not it leaves London with a BAFTA, The Voice of Hind Rajab has already done something rare. It turned a moment the world tried to move past into one it must sit with. Hind’s call may have ended, but the echo hasn’t, and this film makes sure it won’t fade quietly.
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