‘I believed I could save her’: Inside the making of The voice of Hind Rajab | Real Talk

“I hear her voice in my dreams.” Israel’s killing of five-year-old Hind Rajab in 2024 sent shockwaves around the world, sparking global outrage and condemnation. Hind was fleeing Gaza City with her relatives when their car was targeted by Israeli forces. She survived the initial attack and, trapped among her family’s bodies, pleaded for help in desperate phone calls with Palestine Red Crescent responders. Hind was killed before rescuers could reach her. Her body, and those of her relatives, were recovered twelve days later. A new film, The Voice of Hind Rajab, directed by acclaimed Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania and executive produced by Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix, brings Hind’s final moments to the screen. One of the film’s main stars is Motaz Malhees, widely regarded as one of the most talented Palestinian actors of his generation. In this emotional conversation on Real Talk, Motaz opens up to Mohamed Hashem about the toll of portraying this story, the moments he broke down on set, and why he says, “I really believed I could save her.” The film has already won multiple awards, sparked Oscar buzz, and received a 23-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:48 Reading the script 07:41 Motaz childhood and upbringing 10:41 Facing trauma through work 19:39 Hearing Hind’s voice 24:42 Acting vs real reactions 26:26 The shocking story behind Motaz becoming an actor 29:17 23-minute standing ovation 34:56 Israel-Palestine in Hollywood today 41:47 Talking to Hind’s mother? 50:00 Oscar buzz --------------- Support stories that matter. Join this channel to get access to perks:    / @middleeasteye   Catch previous episodes of MEE LIVE, our biweekly news programme exploring the stories shaping our world through breaking coverage, expert analysis, and hard-hitting interviews. Originally airing Tuesdays & Thursdays at 12pm ET | 5pm BST Got a story tip or question? Reach us at [email protected] Subscribe to our channel: http://ow.ly/AVlW30n1OWH Subscribe to MEE Telegram channel to stay up to date: https://t.me/MiddleEastEye_TG Middle East Eye Website: https://middleeasteye.net Follow us on TikTok:   / middleeasteye   Follow us on Instagram:   / middleeasteye   Like us on Facebook:   / middleeasteye   Follow us on Twitter:   / middleeasteye