22 “Sound Of Freedom”: A Cinematic Exploration Of Human Trafficking, Controversies, and Audience Reactions
Oluwatoyosi Onayo
Introduction
The power of cinema lies not only in its ability to entertain but also in its potential to provoke thought, challenge societal norms, and shed light on pressing issues. “Sound of Freedom,” a recent cinematic release, has found itself at the center of a heated controversy, sparking debates on ethical considerations in cinematic representation. As viewers grapple with the intersection of artistic freedom and responsible storytelling, the controversy surrounding this film demands a closer examination. This paper will delve into “Sound of Freedom”: A Cinematic Exploration of Human Trafficking, Controversies, and Audience Reactions. As debates on the film’s accuracy unfold, it becomes entangled in controversy, accused of aligning with right-wing conspiracy theories, particularly those associated with the QAnon movement. It is crucial to consider the diverse perspectives that have emerged. Critics argue that “Sound of Freedom” blurs the line between fact and fiction, taking liberties with the narrative for dramatic effect and potentially misrepresenting the complexities of anti-trafficking operations. On the other hand, supporters contend that the film serves a higher purpose by raising awareness about a critical issue and inspiring action. The multifaceted examination of “Sound of Freedom” reveals a complex interplay between cinematic storytelling, real-world controversies, and the broader societal discourse on human trafficking and conspiracy theories.
“Alejandro Monteverde, born on July 13, 1977, in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico, is a renowned director and writer” (IMDb,). He has been married to Ali Landry Monteverde since April 8, 2006, and they share three children. Monteverde’s notable works include “Sound of Freedom” (2023), “Little Boy” (2015), and “Bella” (2006). His filmmaking journey began with “Bocho,” shot on a 16mm film with no budget during his time as a student. The film won the Kodak Awards for Excellence in Cinematography and earned accolades at various international film festivals. Impressed by Monteverde’s student demo reel, both Kodak and Panavision granted sponsorships for his subsequent project, “Waiting for Trains.” Additionally, “Bella” received the “People’s Choice Award” at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival.
“Sound of Freedom” is a 2023 American crime thriller directed and co-written by Monteverde. Starring Jim Caviezel, Mira Sorvino, and Bill Camp, the film portrays the real-life story of Tim Ballard, a former Homeland Security agent and founder of Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.). Ballard’s relentless efforts to combat human trafficking in Colombia are depicted, with Caviezel portraying him in the movie. The film incorporates fictionalized versions of real individuals, including Ballard and his wife, Katherine Ballard, while drawing inspiration from actual trafficking victims and perpetrators encountered during rescue missions (Lowe & Portée, 2023). Despite its impactful narrative, “Sound of Freedom” has faced criticism regarding its factual accuracy. Some experts argue that the film sensationalizes child trafficking, particularly by depicting children being snatched and kidnapped by strangers. “Polaris, an organization operating in the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline, disputes this portrayal, asserting that many survivors are trafficked by romantic partners or family members, challenging the film’s portrayal of traffickers primarily targeting unknown victims” (Lowe & Portée, 2023). In a Rolling Stone interview, Erin Albright, an attorney with extensive anti-trafficking experience, criticized the film’s sensational depiction, asserting that it perpetuates unhelpful myths and makes it difficult for audiences to comprehend more nuanced trafficking cases involving coercive control or psychological manipulation. “If the jury is expecting ‘Taken,’ and you’ve got a case related to actually diffused coercion this is hard to prove, you may not get a conviction; and for survivors, it makes things even more difficult,” Albright told Rolling Stone. The film “Sound of Freedom”‘ distributor, Angel Studios, admitted in a recent blog post that the way child trafficking is portrayed in the film does not always correspond to real-world trafficking. The distribution enterprise stated that the film “took innovative liberties in depicting the diverse strategies of infant trafficking”. “While there are cases where children are trafficked using different vehicles, most cases involve a deceptive grooming process.”(Lowe & Portée, 2023).
The company emphasized that the initial segments of the film feature authentic security camera footage portraying various kidnappings, acknowledging the occurrence of such incidents in the realm of human trafficking. However, it is crucial to recognize that these instances do not constitute the majority of cases. “Sound of Freedom” has become ensnared in controversy, facing criticism for allegedly presenting misleading depictions of child exploitation and aligning with right-wing conspiracy theories associated with the QAnon movement. Both Tim Ballard and the film’s lead actor, Jim Caviezel, who has been a vocal supporter of QAnon for an extended period, have contributed to these associations. Despite the criticisms, the film’s distributor, Angel Studios, firmly denies any political or QAnon connections, with CEO Neal Harmon asserting in an interview that the movie is not about conspiracy theories or politics. However, some critics take issue with the film’s popularity among QAnon supporters, a far-right group that propagates unfounded claims, including the belief that former President Donald Trump is engaged in a secret battle against a network of supposed “Satanist child abusers in government entertainment and the media” (Lowe & Portée, 2023).
While “Sound of Freedom” itself does not explicitly endorse QAnon talking points, notable QAnon supporters have actively promoted the movie. Jim Caviezel, while not self-identifying as a QAnon supporter, has expressed QAnon views publicly in the past. QAnon is a far-right movement that falsely believes global elites are kidnapping children for sexual abuse and blood harvesting. Videos from a 2021 far-right conference show Caviezel uttering one of QAnon’s catchphrases, “The storm is upon us.” According to the Washington Post, the phrase alludes to the movement’s struggle against the fictitious pedophile cabal. CNN also revealed in April 2021 that the actor had spoken at an alternative conference, propagating the myth that child traffickers take children’s blood in order to obtain adrenochrome, a chemical that they mistakenly believe is essential to life. “Sound of Freedom,” which was immediately labeled MAGA-friendly, doesn’t openly adopt a political stance or make any references to QAnon. Instead, it has an action movie vibe akin to “Sicario.” (Distributor Angel Studios, which enjoyed success earlier this year with the Biblical drama “His Only Son,” even presented the movie to Congressmen from both the Democratic and Republican parties.) Without providing any context, NPR referred to it as “a Christian thriller.” The term “faith-based” infuriates Monteverde, who points out that the movie only makes a few fleeting allusions to religion (Siegel, 2023). He emphasized his intentions to create a film inclusive of all audiences, irrespective of their faith background.
“The film’s origin has been neglected, intentionally or inadvertently, in the media,” he said. “Exploring the origin will clarify many of the misunderstandings surrounding the film”. The filmmaker claims that he started the project that would eventually become Sound of Freedom in 2015, two years prior to the formation of QAnon. Monteverde claimed he was inspired to begin writing a screenplay on the topic of child sex trafficking after seeing a network news segment on the topic. He claimed that the final script, which was first called Mogul, was “purely fictionalized.” But after Ballard and the movie’s producer, Eduardo Verástegui, got to know one another, the project evolved to focus on the more than ten years Ballard spent working as an undercover agent for the U.S. Child Sex Tourism Jump Team while he was a member of Homeland Security’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force before 2013 (McCluskey, 2023).
Verástegui, who not only has a role in “Sound of Freedom” but also served as a producer, played a pivotal role in rallying investors who contributed $14.5 million in funding for the film. Speaking at the premiere of “Sound of Freedom,” he explained to the Washington Examiner that upon learning about Ballard’s story, he felt compelled to bring it to the big screen. “As a filmmaker,” he stated, “I ask myself, ‘What can I do?’ A movie. I have a weapon of mass instruction and inspiration” (McCluskey, 2023). In a subsequent interview with the New York Post, Verástegui expressed that while he may not fully comprehend the criticism surrounding the movie, he views it as a hidden blessing. He remarked, “They are doing us a favor; the more they attack the movie, people show up. ‘Sound of Freedom’ is saving lives.”
Initially secured for distribution by Fox Latin America, the film faced a protracted period of production uncertainty lasting nearly five years following Disney’s acquisition of Fox in 2019. Allegedly, Disney declined to release the film but eventually permitted the filmmakers to repurchase the rights (McCluskey, 2023). Hindered further by pandemic-related delays and unsuccessful attempts to secure distribution from major studios and streaming platforms, the team behind “Sound of Freedom” struck a deal with Angel Studios in March 2023. Since its launch on July 4, “Sound of Freedom” has completed an outstanding financial milestone, raking in $173 million within-side the U.S. and Canada (Siegel, 2023). This remarkable figure has already surpassed the domestic earnings of “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning,” a notable achievement given that the budget for “Sound of Freedom” stands at approximately one-twentieth of the $291 million budget for “Mission: Impossible. ” The $173 million total is expected to increase further as the film embarks on a robust international release in the coming days (Siegel, 2023). However, despite its success, “Sound of Freedom” has generated negative publicity, partly due to comments made by Caviezel and Ballard that reference QAnon themes, specifically the notion that child trafficking is linked to “adrenochrome harvesting.”
Moviegoers have reported instances where anticipated sold-out showings of “Sound of Freedom” have turned out to be empty theaters, capturing these situations on their phones. Both online and in-house reports suggest that certain showings appear nearly fully booked, yet the theaters are devoid of audience. Detractors of “Sound of Freedom” have propagated conspiracy theories, suggesting that someone is artificially purchasing tickets to create a false appearance of support, raising doubts about the movie’s actual level of backing (Piñata, 2023). However, orchestrating such a large-scale effort would be both costly and logistically challenging for a small studio film. Interestingly, many of these empty showings seem to occur in theaters operated by AMC, the largest movie theater chain in North America. Moviegoers have observed and documented with their phones that, specifically during “Sound of Freedom” screenings in AMC theaters, the lights would stay on, hindering visibility of the screen. Additionally, instances of air conditioning malfunctions, causing uncomfortably high temperatures in the theater, and other technical difficulties have been reported exclusively during showings of “Sound of Freedom.” Some patrons even complained about AMC attempting to refund tickets or canceling showings just a day before (Piñata, 2023). Supporters of “Sound of Freedom” have responded with conspiracy theories of their own, claiming that AMC and Hollywood are conspiring to undermine an independent film that espouses strong traditional conservative values (Piñata, 2023). They argue that the film exposes certain perversions often associated with liberal ideologies. It is worth noting that during the real-life events that inspired the film, both political sides praised the heroic mission.
AMC CEO Adam Aron took to Twitter to denounce these conspiracy theories, emphasizing that “more than ONE MILLION people have watched ‘Sound of Freedom’ at AMC Theatres.” Brandon Purdie, head of Angel Studios distribution, also expressed support for AMC, issuing an official statement to encourage fans to back the theater chain and dismissing the unfounded conspiracies surrounding the movie’s screenings. This tweet had replies from both fans and anti-fans, some people’s reply to his tweet further expressed their dislike for AMC theaters like one of them tweeted “odd how you promote every other movie just not this one. Boycott AMC like Bud Light? Not a bad idea” by Izzie @IzzieEnwall another person says “They want to censor the movie because it exposes their crimes against children. So they thought they could have a two for one deal and blame #AMC truly evil and disgusting. The truth will come out in the end”. This is by Stephanie @Stephmase22 on twitter. Some other comments from fans of both the show and AMC commented on how great they think the movie is after watching. A comment from reddit by a fan says “Anyone that doesn’t support SoF is obviously a pedophile. Why else wouldn’t someone like a movie that sheds light on child sex trafficking?” by Informal_Oven_2436. This serves as a notable illustration of ‘Audience as Reactionary Fandom’.
Caviezel, known for his portrayal of Jesus Christ in Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” is garnering attention for the film in various ways. Over the years, he has been a prominent advocate of the debunked and violent QAnon conspiracy theory, specifically promoting the unfounded belief in an international elite cabal engaging in the abuse and killing of children to extract a substance known as adrenochrome (Bond, 2023). These unfounded assertions have become intricately connected with narratives surrounding child trafficking in recent years, ranging from the baseless Pizzagate conspiracy theory, a precursor to QAnon falsely claiming a Washington, D.C. pizza parlor housed a child sex ring, to misleading allegations suggesting that the online retailer Wayfair was involved in selling children under the guise of furniture.
During media appearances to promote “Sound of Freedom,” Caviezel persistently repeats QAnon fabrications. In a recent episode of Steve Bannon’s podcast, the former Trump adviser, Caviezel asserted that the demand for trafficked children is driven by “the whole adrenochrome empire.” He falsely claimed that adrenochrome is an elite drug with effects such as being “10 times more potent than heroin” and possessing mystical qualities that make individuals look younger (Bond, 2023). It is important to note that despite Caviezel’s statements, “Sound of Freedom” itself does not incorporate any references to adrenochrome or other conspiracy theories. Notably, the film was produced before QAnon conspiracy theories gained widespread traction (Bond, 2023).
Shortly after the release of “Sound of Freedom,” Vice conducted an extensive investigation revealing that Tim Ballard has a history of exaggerating and embellishing his achievements, while Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) has been charged with making unproven allegations on its paramilitary activities and its assistance in the rescue of children who have been trafficked (McCluskey, 2023). According to Vice’s report, O.U.R.’s assertions about its activities are often exaggerated and lack clear documentary evidence. Some volunteers for O.U.R. have expressed concerns that the organization might inadvertently contribute to the demand for trafficking victims by conducting undercover missions in foreign countries that seemingly involve activities like soliciting underage girls in bars and sex clubs. Vice revealed that same month that Ballard had discreetly left O.U.R. shortly before “Sound of Freedom” premiered, though it was not apparent why he had left. O.U.R. addressed Ballard’s departure in a statement to TIME, stating, “Tim Ballard has stepped away from Operation Underground Railroad prior to the launch of the film, Sound of Freedom.” The organization emphasized that the depicted operations, tactics, and methodologies in the film occurred almost nine years ago, and since then, O.U.R. has experienced profound evolution . They asserted that the film best represents a small fraction in their cutting-edge operations, training, and aftercare guide supplied globally (McCluskey, 2023). However, even “Sound of Freedom” itself faced criticism from anti-trafficking experts who argued that it presents a misleading portrayal of child trafficking and endorses “rescue” tactics that might jeopardize the safety of actual victims.
Angel Studios implemented an innovative “Pay it Forward” approach as a grassroots strategy to attract audiences to the cinema. In a trailer for the film, star Caviezel elucidated the purpose behind this strategy, emphasizing the desire to enable people to “grasp the narrative” surrounding child trafficking. He articulated the aspiration of inspiring two million individuals to attend the film’s opening weekend, symbolizing the approximate number of trafficked children globally (Lowe & Portée, 2023). To achieve this goal, Angel Studios initiated a pay-it-forward initiative, allowing individuals to cover the cost of tickets for others who might otherwise be unable to afford them. Caviezel encouraged those hindered by ticket prices to claim complimentary tickets. As per information on the studio’s website, the results surpassed expectations, with over 10 million tickets sold thus far.
In August, an investor in “Sound of Freedom,” Fabian Marta, faced arrest as a potential accomplice to child kidnapping, although the charges were later dismissed. “The 51-year-old was taken into custody on July 23 in St. Louis on charges of aiding in child kidnapping, as stated by the St. Louis Police Department” (Lowe & Portée, 2023). According to a probable cause claim from the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office provided to NBC News, Marta allegedly assisted an unnamed suspect in harboring her two daughters, who were taken “unlawfully” from another residence, within an apartment he owned (Lowe & Portée, 2023). Additionally, Marta is accused of impeding the return of the two victims to their lawful parents by denying police access to his apartment. Alongside these serious developments during the film’s theatrical run, the narrative itself faced intense criticism from actual survivors, leading to vehement online backlash (Klein, 2023). These incidents contribute to the film’s complex legacy, despite being available to audiences for only three months.
In conclusion, the release of “Sound of Freedom” has been marked by a myriad of controversies and complexities. The film, directed by Monteverde and starring Jim Caviezel, seeks to portray the real-life efforts of Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad in combating human trafficking. However, its factual accuracy has come under scrutiny, particularly for its sensationalized portrayal of child trafficking and its associations with QAnon themes. Despite criticisms, the film achieved financial success, surpassing $173 million domestically, yet its screenings have been marred by allegations of artificial ticket purchases and technical difficulties, leading to conspiracy theories. Caviezel’s alignment with QAnon, persistent promotion of unfounded claims, and the film’s connections to Angel Studios further fueled the controversy. Additionally, Vice’s investigation raised questions about Ballard’s departure from O.U.R. and the organization’s history of exaggerated claims. The grassroots “Pay it Forward” strategy implemented by Angel Studios aimed to draw audiences to theaters but has also faced scrutiny. Amidst these complexities, the film’s impact on raising awareness about child trafficking remains juxtaposed with concerns about misinformation and its connection to controversial ideologies.
References
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Bond, S. (2023, July 19). Qanon supporters are promoting “sound of freedom.” here’s why. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2023/07/19/1188405402/qanon-supporters-are-promoting-sound-of-freedom-heres-why
IMDb. (n.d.). Alejandro Monteverde – Biography. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1920049/bio/
Klein, B. (2023, October 13). Sound of freedom slammed by human trafficking survivors following VOD release . ScreenRant. https://screenrant.com/sound-of-freedom-movie-human-trafficking-survivors-response-slam/
Lowe , L., & Portée, A. (2023, July 25). “sound of freedom” director says controversy about it is “heartbreaking.” TODAY.com. https://www.today.com/popculture/movies/sound-of-freedom-movie-controversy-rcna95992
McCluskey, M. (2023, August 29). How “sound of freedom” became a controversial hit. Time. https://time.com/6304595/sound-of-freedom-controversy-success/
Piñata, R. (2023, July 20). Sound of freedom: Breaking down every controversy surrounding the divisive film. MovieWeb. https://movieweb.com/sound-of-freedom-movie-controversy/
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Siegel, T. (2023, August 14). “sound of freedom” director calls Qanon labels “heartbreaking,” “not true,” debunks with details of film’s origins. Variety. https://variety.com/2023/film/features/sound-of-freedom-director-controversy-calls-qanon-untrue-1235694549/
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