Sound of Freedom

Sound of Freedom tells the true story of Tim Ballard, a former homeland security agent who starts an anti-trafficking organization called Operation Underground Railroad. The focus is on Ballard’s dangerous mission to rescue hundreds of children from sex traffickers in Colombia. The film also shows us how Ballard wife’s unwavering support gave him strength to persevere in his noble mission.

This is not a film to watch for entertainment. Watching this will make you sick to your stomach, and it should. The movie is not graphic but insinuates and shows just enough to know the despicable atrocities committed to children. However, the movie doesn’t stop there. You won’t leave the theater only feeling disgusted but also cautiously hopeful. It shows us that we can find the power within ourselves and from our loved ones to carry on seemingly impossible acts.

It’s difficult to review a movie when it’s based on a true story about child trafficking, but that’s what you’re here for, so here we go. The movie raises awareness of this unfathomable hell thousands of kids are living in. Tim Ballard is a real-life hero, and the movie delves into how much impact witnessing acts of pure evil had on him. He feels called upon by God to rescue the children no matter the cost. I expected the movie to be slow moving but it was surprisingly fast paced for a real-life story. Even putting the serious subject matter aside, this is a suspenseful thriller in its own right. The cinematography isn’t just impressive for a small budget movie, it looks good period. Jim Caviezel, who plays Tim Ballard, is charismatic and clearly pours his entire soul into the project. The kids’ performances are powerful as well. What is also worth highlighting is the exceptional music score.

What is frightening and eye-opening is how many powerful people and corporations are actively discouraging people from going to see it using all the propaganda-marketing tools available. Thankfully, their attempts are failing, and Sound of Freedom already made over 150 million dollars and it’s still going strong. I wonder how on earth did we get to a point where a movie about the horrors of child trafficking is considered a “controversy”.

God's children are not for sale.