“…You can sell a bag of cocaine one time. [But] you can sell a 5-year-old kid, 5 to 10 times a day for 10 years straight every day,” said actor Jim Caviezel in his new Sound of Freedom role.
By now, I’m sure you’ve heard of the new summer blockbuster – Sound of Freedom. This hard-to-watch film takes audiences deep into the horrific realm of child sex trafficking.
And let’s not forget; it’s sending the Left into a tizzy!
Based on a true story, the film shows how real-life hero Tim Ballad (played by former Passion of the Christ star Jim Caviezel) became involved in recovering and rescuing children sold into sex slavery. Today, Ballard is known as the founder of Operation Underground Rescue (O.U.R.), an anti-trafficking organization that focuses on rescuing child victims of sex slavery.
Social media has been a buzz since the Sound of Freedom Independence Day release. Many have recommended the film to family, friends, and anyone they can reach. On opening day (July 4), it brought in over $14 million and was only shown in 2,600 locations. Contrarily, on the same day, the fifth installment of Indiana Jones only reported $11 million in profit and was shown in almost 2,000 more theaters.
So, what’s the hubbub anyway? What happens in this movie? Is it worth seeing?
The film starts with Ballard (Caviezel) working on a case as a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. After a series of events, the case leads him to uncover and rescue a little boy named Teddy. Teddy had been lured in, groomed, and trafficked into the disgusting world of sex trafficking. Thankful for the boy’s rescue, Ballard soon learns that Teddy has a sister who was also trafficked. Ballard’s new mission is to find her.
On his journey to find her – audiences face heartbreaking truths about trafficking.
It is powerful, gut-wrenching, and hard to watch. Someone recently told me that the film made them nauseous the entire time. Yet, their eyes were opened to the reality of what is happening.
If you haven’t seen it, I would encourage you to do so. However, I must offer a strong caution to viewers. Due to the subject matter, several profanities, and violence, the film is appropriately rated PG-13. Likewise, the film uses creative liberties to bring Ballard’s story to life on the big screen. If you are interested in learning what those are, click here.
Nevertheless, thanks to Angel Studios and the Sound of Freedom cast and crew, eyes are being opened to the seedy world of child sex trafficking. And I couldn’t be more appreciative!
As someone zealous about ending sex trafficking, nothing thrills my heart more than seeing God’s people on a mission to save and rescue God’s most precious children. I applaud Angel Studios for their gripping film.
Yet, viewers should be warned that the game isn’t over. There is still so much work to do … and it involves more than munching on popcorn.
The next step is the hardest.
As William Wilberforce once said, “You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.”
Now, we must act.
The first step of action, and perhaps hardest to grasp, is that this is not an “overseas” issue. The film showed a rescue that took place in Columbia. But what would you do if I told you that it could be happening down your street?
In 2019, it was reported that the United States was the largest consumer of sex worldwide.
Think about it. Our society screams it. Sex is on billboards, magazines, TV shows, movies, music – you name it – it’s there. And lest we forget, that demand comes at a tall price—the lives of innocent American girls, boys, men, and women.
They are missing.
They are sold.
They are tortured.
They are being thrown away and disposed of like last night’s leftovers. For what? A couple of hundred bucks?
When I first heard someone compare the drug trade to that of selling a human for sex, much like the quote from the movie – my world changed. Because the reality is that sex trafficking is happening.
Moms and dads pimp out their young sons and daughters.
Many “porn stars” are acting against their will.
Elementary-aged children are coerced because a predator made them believe their family didn’t want them.
This is America.
And right here in America, since its creation in 2007, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has received 283,584 phone calls, 62,273 texts, 30,532 online tips, 15,409 emails, and 7,696 web chat communications regarding potential U.S. trafficking cases. According to the website, “82,301 cases of human trafficking. 164,839 victims were identified in these cases.”
Those calls, tips, and reports led to the rescue of thousands of enslaved people.
However, for those rescues to happen – someone reported it. Someone was aware that a situation wasn’t right and reached out for professional help. They didn’t swoop in for a rescue vigilante style; they only picked up their phone and reported the suspicious activity.
We can do the same. With proper education, we can learn the signs, raise awareness, and bring change to the lives of those trapped in sex slavery.
As Wilberforce said, “You can never again say you do not know.”
So, what will you choose to do next?
Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31:8-9).
For more information on how to learn the signs of sex trafficking, visit Operation Underground Railroad, National Center on Sexual Exploitation, and Shared Hope International.
Likewise, AFR’s own Jessica Peck of Dr. Nurse Mama has recently released episodes with helpful information on the next steps to take in light of the film. To listen, click here.
