Adam Patla
Writer-director Kaouther Ben Hania is no stranger to the Oscars, but this morning felt a little different when her film The Voice of Hind Rajab was announced as a nominee for Best International Feature. Awards Radar spoke with the Oscar nominee about her film’s nomination.
Congratulations on this nomination. I was so excited to hear them announce this film. This is your third nomination but I imagine this time around feels a little different. What does it mean for you to be recognized for this film in particular?
It means the voice of Hind Rajab was heard. It means that her voice will echo more and more. It means that…there are a lot of people that will not look away, will watch it, and maybe do something about it.
Obviously we don’t make art for awards. You touched on it, but what are you hoping comes from this nomination for this movie?
Awards validation is not the purpose but we know we live in a world where you need to shout loud about injustice so it can be heard because the world we live in is deaf or doesn’t want to see or doesn’t hear. The fact to be nominated, going for an Oscar, is a good place to draw attention and to have some spotlight not only for Hind Rajab…. This little girl unfortunately became a symbol for all the children in Gaza and there are still children living there in a very, very, very difficult situation. So I hope that when the world didn’t want to listen or hear the voice of Hind Rajab, they will now maybe, maybe be more careful about what is happening to those children.
You are also the only woman and Arab filmmaker represented in the category this year. What does that mean to you personally as a filmmaker and artist?
You know, it means that… I mean, I’m happy to represent not only Arabs but also Africans because I am African and also to be a woman filmmaker in this category. I think we need diversity, we need multiple voices. So I’m happy to be this person, bringing not a comfortable watch, but, I think, a necessary one.
Obviously given the subject matter, it is bittersweet, but how are you going to celebrate this nomination and this larger recognition of Hind Rajab?
I’m not so much in the mood for celebration because of the topic of the movie. But, you know, I spoke with Hind’s mother and the four Red Crescent employees who are portrayed in this movie and all of them are…I can’t say happy, but, for them there is hope in this world. Because we all talk about how difficult the world we live in [is] and how we need change and I hope this movie, this is for me is the real celebration, can be a tool or a way or participate in any way in a cultural shift, in a change for more justice, more accountability in this world.
It breaks my heart that the movie had to be made in the first place but I’m so appreciative and grateful you made it and brought Hind Rajab’s story to the world.
Thank you. Thank you for writing about it, thank you for echoing her voice.
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