“The Voice of Hind Rajab” Faces Oscar Ceremony Roadblock for Star Motaz Malhees
The Tunisian-French docudrama “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, will be without one of its key stars, Motaz Malhees, due to a U.S. Travel ban. Malhees, who plays Red Crescent dispatcher Omar in the film, revealed on social media that his Palestinian citizenship prevents him from entering the United States.
A Story Rooted in Tragedy
“The Voice of Hind Rajab” reconstructs the events surrounding the killing of six-year-old Hind Rajab by the Israel Defense Forces during the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip in January 2024 . The film follows the desperate attempts by Red Crescent volunteers to reach Hind, who died of her injuries even as trapped in a car surrounded by the bodies of her relatives after her family’s vehicle was fired upon .
International Acclaim and Recognition
Directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, “The Voice of Hind Rajab” premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival in September 2025, where it won the Grand Jury Prize and six other awards . The film received a nomination for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards and was as well nominated for Best Non-English Language Film at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards . It has garnered approximately $5 million at the box office .
Malhees’ Absence and the Film’s Message
Malhees expressed his disappointment but emphasized the importance of the film’s message, stating on Instagram, “Our story is bigger than any barrier, and it will be heard.” . Producer Odessa Rae highlighted the film’s goal of reaching the widest possible audience, believing the Oscars platform will amplify its impact .
A Call to Action
“The Voice of Hind Rajab” is described as a call to action by its creators and supporters . The film serves as an indictment of the international system’s failures in Gaza , bringing attention to the suffering of Palestinian children, with over 20,000 reportedly killed in the ongoing conflict .