Palestinian Actor Emotionally Recalls Portraying Hind Rajab's Tragic Story in Oscar-Nominated Film
Palestinian actor Motaz Malhees becomes visibly emotional when reflecting on two specific lines from his role in "The Voice of Hind Rajab," the Oscar-nominated docudrama that chronicles the desperate final moments of 5-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab in Gaza. The film captures her heartbreaking plea to humanitarian workers before she was killed by Israeli forces.
Listening to Actual Recordings
Malhees, who listened to authentic recordings of Rajab's call while preparing for his role, described experiencing a panic attack upon hearing the child identify herself as being in "the butterfly class" at preschool. "That hit me deep in my heart," Malhees revealed in an interview with HuffPost.
Another line that profoundly affected him was Rajab's description of her deceased family members in the car as "sleeping." The actor confessed that these two moments "destroyed" him as he listened to the recordings through an earpiece on set, fueling his determination to share the 5-year-old's story with every fiber of his being.
A Personal Connection to Tragedy
"Put your child there and think of the story — drop all the flags, all the names, all of everything. Put your child in there. This is abnormal," Malhees urged, referencing Israel's devastating, U.S.-backed offensive in Gaza that has created a severe humanitarian crisis. "We are in a time where the world needs to really move and do something."
In the film, Malhees portrays Palestinian Red Crescent Society emergency operator Omar Alqam, who actually spoke with Rajab during her traumatic final call. The actor developed a close friendship with Alqam during production, learning that the real operator struggled emotionally after the incident, feeling disconnected from his newborn son and wife for months afterward.
Film Production and Critical Reception
The film features an all-Palestinian cast under Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania's direction and has earned a nomination for Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards. Production began less than a year after the tragic events of January 2024, when Rajab and her cousin called emergency services after Israeli forces attacked their vehicle as they attempted to flee Gaza City.
According to Forensic Architecture's detailed analysis:
- Most of Rajab's family members were killed in the initial attack
- The 5-year-old remained on the line with rescue workers after her cousin's death
- Rajab was found dead in the car weeks later
- Two paramedics were also killed while attempting to rescue her
Since its Venice Film Festival premiere, where it received a record 23-minute standing ovation, the film has earned a Golden Globe nomination and widespread critical acclaim.
Personal Barriers and Commitment
Despite the film's success, Malhees will likely miss the Oscars ceremony due to U.S. entry restrictions affecting Palestinians. "It pisses me off and it hurts, but I thought of it in a different way," he told HuffPost. "I'm banned as the physical me but my art is there. My story is there. What I want to tell the world is there."
The story resonates deeply with Malhees, who grew up in the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. He recalls being 10 years old during Israel's 2002 invasion of the camp, when tanks, vehicles, and helicopters entered while electricity and water were cut off.
Having begun his acting career at Jenin's Freedom Theatre, Malhees feels a tremendous responsibility in bringing Rajab's story to international audiences. "I just want to give it all I can, everything in my hands, in my heart and my body," he emphasized. "I want them to hear it, I want them to see this story, I want this story to never happen again to other children."
