The Voice of Hind Rajab, written and directed by the two-time Oscar nominated director Kaouther Ben Hania, will open theatrically on December 17, launching in New York (Film Forum) and Los Angeles (Laemmle Theatres) with a national roll-out to follow. The theatrical and digital release will be handled bythe distribution arm of the film’s production partner WILLA.
Winner of the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival, where it received thelongest standing ovation in film festival history, The Voice of Hind Rajab has become one of thisyear’s most acclaimed titles. The film also won the Audience Award at the San Sebastián FilmFestival (with the highest score in festival history), the Audience Award for International Featureat Middleburg Film Festival, and the Silver Hugo Jury Prize at Chicago Film Festival. It has alsoscreened at Toronto International Film Festival, BFI London, and AFI Fest, among others.New York Magazine noted the film as “Exceptionally powerful… The film takes theirhelplessness in the moment and makes it something cosmic and civilizational.” The HollywoodReporter said the film is “Done with a breathtaking directness and simplicity that resonates withenormous power.” and GQ called it “the most vital film of the decade” and “an astonishing blendof dramatisation and reality”.
Based on true events, The Voice of Hind Rajab follows Red Crescent volunteers as theystruggle to send an ambulance to rescue a six-year-old girl trapped under fire in Gaza. The filmstars Saja Kilani, Motaz Malhees, Amer Hlehel, and Clara Khoury.
The film is Tunisia’s official submission for the 98th Academy Awards, produced by Oscar®-Nominee Nadim Cheikhrouha (Four Daughters), Oscar®-Winner Odessa Rae (Navalny), andOscar®-Winner James Wilson (The Zone of Interest), with executive producers including BradPitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix, Alfonso Cuarón, andJonathan Glazer.
Supported by Sundance Institute and recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30, WILLA is a productionand distribution company focused on socially and culturally important films. Recent releasesinclude Alonso Ruizpalacios’ La Cocina, Sofia Coppola-produced Fairyland (co-distribution withLionsgate), Another Body (SXSW Jury Award, Emmy nominee), Fawzia Mirza’s The Queen ofMy Dreams, You Resemble Me (executive produced by Claire Denis, Spike Lee, Spike Jonze,Riz Ahmed, Alma Har’el). WILLA’s production slate includes The Voice of Hind Rajab and ClaireDenis’ The Fence.
“We’re looking forward to partnering with WILLA on the distribution of our film. After weighingnumerous opportunities, we chose to keep this release in the family. WILLA bringsthoughtfulness and vision to distribution, and together we’re building a release that honors thespirit in which the film was created,” said producers Nadim Cheikhrouha, Odessa Rae andJames Wilson.
“As one of the Executive Producers of the film, I’m honored that my distribution company canserve the cause of sharing the film with audiences. It’s a powerful work that demands to beexperienced 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 possibleaudience.” said Woodward, CEO and founder of WILLA.
WILLA will partner with the producing team to design a release that connects audiences to thefilm’s urgent themes through strategic theatrical, creative marketing, and communityengagement. Many of the film’s partner companies – including the Amed Khan Foundation,World Within Studios, Watermelon Pictures, Common Pictures, Utopia Studios – are directlyengaged in audience engagement, humanitarian, impact, and educational work and willcollaborate with WILLA throughout the rollout.
The film’s release will be accompanied by a robust impact campaign, including screenings at theUnited Nations, UK Parliament, EU Parliament, U.S. universities, and community events inpartnership with advocacy organizations nationwide.
The Voice of Hind Rajab is produced in association with Film4, MBC Studios, Amed KhanFoundation, Stitching Giustra International Foundation, Watermelon Pictures, Utopia Studios,PFF, World Within Studios, MeMo Films, Sunnyland Films (A.R.T. Group), Rasha MansouriElmasry & Hassan Elmasry, RaeFilm Studios, JW Films, WILLA, Plan B, Valentine, with thecontribution of Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Fund for the Promotion and Investment inLiterary and Artistic Creativity. Executive Producers include Guillaume & Sarah Rambourg, TheRambourg Foundation, Amed Khan, Sawsan Asfari, Ramez & Tiziana Sousou, Jemima Khan,Jorie Graham, Geralyn Dreyfous, Mohannad Malas, Common Pictures, Frank Giustra, FarhanaBhula, Ali Jaafar, Samar Akrouk, Hana Al-Omair, Hamza Ali, Badie Ali, Karim Ahmad, MichellaRivera-Gravage, Francesco Melzi D’Eril, Gabriele Moratti, Idris Mokhtarzada & HaroonMokhtarzada, Rostam Zafari, Andy Nahas, and Co-Executive Producers are Stephanie & ErikNadi Olson, Sabine Getty, 1888 Films, Frank Barat, Doha Film Institute.
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