Sound of Freedom (film)
| Sound of Freedom | |
|---|---|
| File:The Sound of Freedom Poster.jpg Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Alejandro Monteverde |
| Written by |
|
| Produced by | Eduardo Verastegui |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography |
|
| Edited by | Brian Scofield |
| Music by | Javier Navarrete |
Production company | Santa Fe Films |
| Distributed by | Angel Studios |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 135 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Languages |
|
Sound of Freedom is a 2022 American action film directed and co-written by Alejandro Monteverde. It stars Jim Caviezel, Mira Sorvino, and Bill Camp. Caviezel plays Tim Ballard, a former government agent turned vigilante who embarks on a mission to rescue children from sex traffickers in Colombia.[1] It is produced by Eduardo Verastegui, who also plays a role in the film. The film premiered at the 2022 Coronado Island Film Festival, and will be released on July 4, 2023, by Angel Studios.
Plot
Tim Ballard quits his job as a Special Agent with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to become a vigilante and embarks on a mission to rescue children from cartels and human traffickers in Latin America.[2][3]
Cast
- Jim Caviezel as Tim Ballard
- Mira Sorvino as Katherine Ballard
- Bill Camp as Batman
- Kurt Fuller as Frost
- Gary Basaraba as Earl Buchanan
- José Zúñiga as Roberto
- Gerardo Taracena as El Alacrán
- Scott Haze as Chris
- Eduardo Verástegui as Paul[4]
- Javier Godino as Jorge
- Gustavo Sánchez Parra as El Calacas
Production
Development
Sound of Freedom was inspired by Tim Ballard's assertions that he is an activist against child trafficking (Ballard also founded Operation Underground Railroad, or O.U.R.).[5]
Ballard personally requested that Jim Caviezel portray him, even though the actor does not resemble him. Ballard said that he was affected by Caviezel's role in The Count of Monte Cristo (2002).[6][7] Caviezel has stated that Sound of Freedom was the second most important film he has ever done, ranking behind his role as Jesus Christ in The Passion of the Christ (2004).[8][7]
The film's score is composed by Javier Navarrete.[9]
Filming
Principal photography began in the summer of 2018. While some of the film was shot in the United States (Calexico, California),[10] most of filming took place in Cartagena, Colombia.[11]
Release
The film was completed in 2018 and a distribution deal was made with 21st Century Fox. However, that studio was acquired by Walt Disney Pictures, which shelved the film. The filmmakers reportedly spent years trying to get the distribution rights back from Disney and take it to theaters.[12]
Sound of Freedom was scheduled to be shown at the 2022 Coronado Island Film Festival, which ran from November 9-13.[13]
In March 2023, Variety reported that Angel Studios had acquired the worldwide distribution rights, with a planned release during the second half of 2023.[1] Angel later set a release date of July 4, 2023.[14]
Angel used equity crowdfunding to raise the funds needed for marketing and encouraged patrons to "pay it forward" to allow people who might not otherwise see the movie to watch it in theaters for free.[15] Goya Cares, an anti-human trafficking foundation established by Goya Foods, announced its support as executive producer for the release.[16] Twitter owner Elon Musk suggested the filmmakers post the film on Twitter and the platform would not keep any of the funds raised; Verasteugi replied, "“Thank you, Elon; this is great idea! God’s children are not for sale. Can’t wait for you to see the film. ¡Dios te bendiga, hermano!"[17]
References
- ^ a b "Angel Studios Acquires Rights to Jim Caviezel Drama 'Sound of Freedom' Ahead of Theatrical Release (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. March 30, 2023.
- ^ "Sound of Freedom trailer released, focused on the fight against child exploitation".
- ^ "Operation Underground Railroad to be featured in new film 'The Sound of Freedom'".
- ^ "Actuará al lado de Jim Caviezel". November 1, 2019.
- ^ Merlan, Anna; Marchman, Tim (June 10, 2021). "Operation Underground Railroad's Carefully Crafted Public Image Is Falling Apart". Vice. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ Borchert, Brittany (September 12, 2018). "Jim Caviezel Plays Tim Ballard in "The Sound of Freedom"".
- ^ a b Toone, Trent (June 4, 2018). "Actor Jim Caviezel set to play second most important role in O.U.R. story 'The Sound of Freedom'". Deseret News.
- ^ "Jim Caviezel Stars in Hollywood Movie About Latter-Day Saint and Former CIA Agent Tim Ballard". LDS Living. September 10, 2018.
- ^ "Javier Navarrete Scoring Alejandro Monteverde's 'Sound of Freedom'".
- ^ "Sound of Freedom" – via PressReader.
- ^ "Cartagena: A gorgeous location for movie makers".
- ^ Sound of Freedom film highlights child trafficking crisis: ‘God’s children are not for sale’
- ^ "The Coronado Island Film Festival Announces 2022 Program Slate". The Coronado Times. October 4, 2022. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ Ramachandran, Naman (May 12, 2023). "Jim Caviezel in Human Trafficking Thriller 'Sound of Freedom': Watch First Trailer (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ Jim Caviezel: ‘Sound of Freedom’ is ‘best film I’ve done since “The Passion of the Christ”’
- ^ GOYA CARES SUPPORTS THE PRODUCTION AND RELEASE OF NEW MOVIE SOUND OF FREEDOM TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE CHILD TRAFFICKING EPIDEMIC
- ^ Jim Caviezel: ‘Sound of Freedom’ Tells True ‘Battle Hero’s Story,’ Showing How Real-Life Warriors Save Children From Trafficking