Sound of Freedom UK Release Date:- Sound of Freedom is a film that tells the true story of Tim Ballard, a former US government agent who quit his job to rescue children from sex trafficking in Colombia. The film stars Jim Caviezel as Ballard, Mira Sorvino as his wife Katherine, and Bill Camp as his mentor and friend. The film is directed by Alejandro Monteverde and produced by Angel Studios, a faith-based streaming platform that aims to create uplifting and positive content.
The film was released in US theaters on July 4, 2023, coinciding with the Independence Day holiday. It was a surprise box office hit, earning $14 million in its opening weekend and surpassing Disney/Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, which was released a few days earlier. The film received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, who praised its gripping and emotional story, its powerful performances, and its message of hope and courage.
In this article, we will explore the background of the film, the plot summary, the main themes, the cast and crew, the reception and impact, and the availability of the film in the UK and online.
| WIKI | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Sound of Freedom |
| Genre | Thriller |
| Director | Alejandro Monteverde |
| Cast | Jim Caviezel, Mira Sorvino, Bill Camp |
| Based on | The Sound of Freedom: How to Bring the End of Human Trafficking by Tim Ballard and Victor Marx |
| Distributor | Angel Studios |
| Sound of Freedom UK Release Date | July 4, 2023 |
| Runtime | 131 minutes |
| Budget | $25 million |
| Box office | $20 million (as of July 9) |
Background of the Film
Sound of Freedom is based on the real-life experiences of Tim Ballard, who worked as a special agent for the US Department of Homeland Security for over a decade. He specialized in undercover operations to infiltrate and dismantle child trafficking rings around the world. He witnessed firsthand the horrors of child exploitation and slavery, and he felt frustrated by the limitations and bureaucracy of his job.
In 2012, he decided to leave his government position and start his own non-profit organization called Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), which is dedicated to rescuing children from sex trafficking and providing them with rehabilitation and aftercare. He also founded The Nazarene Fund, which helps persecuted religious minorities in the Middle East.
Ballard’s story caught the attention of Jim Caviezel, who is best known for playing Jesus Christ in The Passion of the Christ (2004). Caviezel was moved by Ballard’s courage and faith, and he felt a strong connection to his mission. He contacted Ballard and expressed his interest in portraying him in a film. Ballard agreed, and they began working on the project together.
They also enlisted the help of Alejandro Monteverde, a Mexican-American filmmaker who had previously directed Bella (2006) and Little Boy (2015), two films that deal with themes of faith, family, and social justice. Monteverde was impressed by Ballard’s story and vision, and he agreed to direct the film.
The film was shot in 2018 in various locations in Colombia, Mexico, and the US. It was completed in 2019, but it faced several delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges. It was finally acquired by Angel Studios in March 2023, which gave it a theatrical release on July 4, 2023.
Plot Summary
The film begins with a flashback to 2008, when Tim Ballard (Jim Caviezel) is working as a special agent for Homeland Security in Utah. He is assigned to a case involving a child trafficking ring that operates across the US-Mexico border. He goes undercover as a buyer and meets with a trafficker named Miguel (Eduardo Verástegui), who offers him two young girls for $10,000 each. Ballard arrests Miguel and rescues the girls, but he learns that they have a brother who is still in Mexico.
Ballard tries to convince his boss (Kurt Fuller) to let him go to Mexico to rescue the boy, but he is denied permission due to jurisdictional issues. He is frustrated by the system that prevents him from saving more children.
The film then jumps to 2012, when Ballard is working on another case involving child trafficking in Haiti. He meets with an informant named Ben (Scott Haze), who tells him about a notorious trafficker named Santos (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), who kidnaps children from orphanages and sells them to wealthy clients around the world. Ballard infiltrates Santos’ operation and manages to arrest him and free several children.
However, he also discovers that Santos has connections to high-ranking officials in Haiti, who are corrupt and complicit in his crimes. He realizes that Santos will likely walk free due to his influence and immunity. He is outraged by the injustice and decides to quit his job.
He returns home to his wife Katherine (Mira Sorvino) and their six children. He tells her that he wants to start his own organization that will rescue children from trafficking without any restrictions or red tape. He also tells her that he wants to adopt the boy from Mexico, who is still missing. Katherine is supportive of his decision, but she is also worried about the risks and sacrifices involved.
Ballard then travels to Colombia, where he meets with his friend and mentor Bill (Bill Camp), a former CIA agent who runs a private security company. Bill introduces him to a team of former military and law enforcement personnel who are willing to join Ballard’s mission. They also meet with a local pastor named Eduardo (Jose Zuniga), who runs a safe house for rescued children.
Ballard and his team begin to investigate the child trafficking situation in Colombia, which is controlled by a violent cartel led by a man named Lobo (Juan Pablo Raba). They learn that Lobo has a network of scouts who lure children from poor neighborhoods with promises of jobs or education, and then transport them to remote farms where they are abused and sold.
Ballard and his team devise a plan to infiltrate Lobo’s operation and rescue as many children as possible. They pose as wealthy buyers and arrange a meeting with Lobo’s right-hand man, El Diablo (Luis Fernando Hoyos). They also enlist the help of the Colombian police, who agree to provide backup and arrest the traffickers.
The film then follows the tense and thrilling operation, which involves multiple locations, vehicles, weapons, and disguises. Ballard and his team manage to infiltrate the farm where the children are held, and they find hundreds of them in cages and tents. They also find the boy from Mexico, whose name is Daniel (Isaac Arellanes).
They signal the police to raid the farm, and they begin to free the children and escort them to safety. However, they also encounter resistance from Lobo’s men, who open fire on them. A fierce gunfight ensues, in which several of Ballard’s team members are wounded or killed.
Ballard manages to reach Daniel and carry him out of the farm. He also confronts Lobo, who tries to shoot him. Ballard shoots Lobo first, killing him. He then reunites with Katherine, who has arrived in Colombia with their children. They embrace Daniel and welcome him into their family.
The film ends with a montage of scenes showing the aftermath of the operation. The rescued children are taken to Eduardo’s safe house, where they receive medical care, counseling, and education. Ballard and his team are hailed as heroes by the media and the public. Ballard also launches his organization, O.U.R., which continues to rescue children from trafficking around the world.
The film also shows some statistics and facts about child trafficking, such as:
- There are an estimated 40 million victims of human trafficking worldwide.
- 25% of them are children.
- Human trafficking generates $150 billion in profits annually.
- Only 1% of victims are ever rescued.
The film ends with a message of hope and action, encouraging viewers to join the fight against child trafficking and support O.U.R. and other organizations that work on this issue.
Main Themes
Sound of Freedom is a film that explores several themes related to faith, family, justice, and freedom.
One of the main themes is faith. The film portrays Ballard as a devout Christian who believes that God has called him to rescue children from trafficking. He often prays for guidance and protection during his missions, and he credits God for his success. He also sees his work as a way of fulfilling the biblical commandment to love one’s neighbor as oneself.
Another theme is family. The film shows how Ballard’s love for his wife and children motivates him to save other children from harm. He also considers his team members as his brothers in arms, who share his vision and values. He also treats the rescued children as his own, offering them compassion and care.
A third theme is justice. The film exposes the injustice and corruption that enable child trafficking to thrive in many parts of the world. It also shows how Ballard challenges the system that fails to protect the most vulnerable members of society. He takes matters into his own hands, using unconventional and sometimes illegal methods to achieve his goals.
A fourth theme is freedom. The film celebrates the freedom that Ballard and his team bring to the children they rescue from slavery. It also highlights the freedom that Ballard himself experiences when he quits his government job and follows his passion. The film also connects freedom with responsibility, as Ballard uses his freedom to serve others rather than himself.
Cast and Crew
Sound of Freedom features an impressive cast of actors who deliver convincing and compelling performances.
Jim Caviezel plays Tim Ballard, the protagonist of the film. Caviezel is best known for playing Jesus Christ in The Passion of the Christ (2004), as well as roles in such films as The Count of Monte Cristo (2002), Frequency (2000), The Thin Red Line (1998), and Person of Interest (2011-2016). Caviezel brings intensity and charisma to his portrayal of Ballard, capturing his courage, conviction, and
No Responses Yet