Why you must see ‘Sound Of Freedom’ – the film that exposes the horrifying trade of child sex trafficking

There has been a lot of talk about the new movie Sound Of Freedom; not on the usual mainstream channels but within countless threads across social media. The film, which covers the disturbing subject of child sex trafficking, received hardly any discussion or promotion in the tabloid press over the first week of its release overseas, but it has seen plenty of debate via the likes of TikTok and Twitter.

While films today don’t do too well unless they have had the support of excess media hype (think Barbie; any Marvel or DC movie), the fact that Sound Of Freedom has done very well at the international box office within its first weeks of release is an absolute accomplishment and stands as testament to the film’s importance. It’s proven that movies do not need traditional media to be put on the publicity map; they only need to hold pertinent subject matter that triggers the human heart and leads to necessary discussion and action.

Based on a true story, ‘Sound Of Freedom’ follows the cunning tactics of Tim Ballard (played by Jim Caviezel), a former U.S. federal agent who embarks on a risky journey to rescue children trapped in the clutches of human trafficking.

While Caviezel has often played Biblical characters on the big screen – including playing Jesus in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, and Luke in Andrew Hyatt’s Paul, Apostle of Christ, no role could be more saintly than this one, where his character stops at nothing and risks everything to save children from the brutal harm and a hellish experience of human trafficking.

Caviezel’s portrayal of Ballard is nothing short of brilliant while audiences of all generations are sure to empathise with his heroic character and his necessary mission.

From the very start of the film, director Alejandro Monteverde does an astonishing job at roping the viewer into the disgusting, dark world of trafficking. We see a little girl banging a small drum while singing a sweet tune, but soon the sweet strains turn to bass-heavy rumblings, sounding somewhat like an earthquake. At the girl’s door appears a model-type character who calls herself Giselle. The maternal figure says to the girl that she could very well become a star performer. Roping in the girl’s brother, and convincing their father to take his children to an “audition” being hosted in the middle of nowhere, by the end of the day Giselle has kidnapped the children and brought them to their horrific predators.

There were moments in this film where I felt feel so sad for these children, that a numbness overtook my mind and body, quickly followed by sobbing and tears – their plight is that distressing. But director Monteverde and his entire cast do a remarkable job at offering glimmers of hope throughout the film and – viewers will be happy to know – there is a more positive ending than you might expect.

Mira Sorvino, who plays the character of Lita, a woman dedicated to urging Tim Ballard on his mission (was she his one-time girlfriend?), brings a poignant vulnerability to her role. But it is the children in this film who leave the most impressive mark: both as actors and characters, remaining strong and tenacious even under the most volatile and vulnerable of circumstances.

Ultimately, what sets ‘Sound Of Freedom’ apart from other true-crime cinema is its sense of hope amidst the darkest of sordid underground activity. It reminds us that ordinary individuals can make extraordinary changes to the status quo.

The film shines light on facts that are otherwise unbelievable or rarely revealed. For example, it is reported that 99% of victims trafficked for sexual exploitation are women and girls, and that the U.S. now ranks as one of the worst countries in the world for human trafficking at large, with an estimated 199,000 incidents occurring annually. Also, while 7 in 10 victims of sexual exploitation in the world are trafficked in the Asia-Pacific region, it is the U.S. where child sex trafficking is exponentially on the rise, with children ‘farmed’ into various industries including politics, fashion, entertainment, as well as the sex trade. These facts must be addressed right now, and it all begins with this movie.

At two hours’ length, you may think you are in for a very painful time, witnessing abuse and watching the corruption that brings these children to their predators. But director Monteverde approaches the situation sensitively and tactfully – getting the important messages across without having to subject the viewer to all the absolute horrors. You see what is going on without it actually happening before your eyes. Indeed, such abuse would be uncomfortable to witness, which is probably why the subject of child sex trafficking is often shut down and rarely talked about. Again, this is why Sound Of Freedom is such an important film – helping bring the matter to light so that change can really start to happen.

See it and realise this sordid activity is real all over the world.

Antonino Tati

‘Sound Of Freedom’ is in cinemas now.

For information in helping to end child sex trafficking, visit the Zoe International site. 

If you believe a child you know is in immediate danger call the Police on 000. If you require assistance or if you would like to talk to a trained professional about child abuse, call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.