Venice: The docudrama “The Voice of Hind Rajab”, depicting events from the Gaza War, has won the Silver Lion award at the Venice International Film Festival, which concluded on Saturday evening. Directed by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, the film recounts the true story of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, who was killed during the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip two years ago. The production incorporates the real-life recording of Hind’s pleas for help as her family’s car came under fire from Israeli forces.
According to Qatar News Agency, the film, nominated by audiences for the festival’s top prize, received a record 23-minute, 50-second standing ovation following its world premiere on Wednesday. In her acceptance speech, Ben Hania said that cinema cannot bring Hind back to life or erase the atrocities committed against her, but it can preserve her voice and highlight the suffering of an entire people. She stressed that Hind Rajab’s voice will continue to resonate until accountability and justice are achieved.
The Golden Lion for Best Film was awarded to Jim Jarmusch’s “Father Mother Sister Brother”. The award for Best Director went to Benny Safdie for “The Smashing Machine”. The Volpi Cup for Best Actress was presented to Chinese actress Xin Zhilei for “The Sun Rises on Us All” by Cai Shangjun, while Best Actor was awarded to Italian actor Toni Servillo for “La Grazia by Paolo Sorrentino”.
Seen as the launchpad of the awards season, Venice has proved a strong predictor of Oscars success, with its films collecting over 90 nominations and nearly 20 wins in the past four years.