Julie Hambleton

Julie Hambleton

July 20, 2023

Jim Caviezel Thanks Supporters For ‘Not Letting The Media Silence’ ‘Sound Of Freedom’

In a recent interview, actor Jim Caviezel expressed his gratitude towards the supporters of his latest movie, ‘Sound of Freedom.’ The film, which tackles the issue of child trafficking, has been at the center of a heated controversy due to some claiming it has connections with QAnon conspiracy theories. What exactly are these controversies, and is this film worth the watch, or no?

Jim Caviezel Thanks Supporters For ‘Not Letting The Media Silence’ ‘Sound Of Freedom

‘Sound of Freedom‘ is a movie that aims to shine a light on the dark reality of child trafficking. The film tells the true story of Tim Ballard, a former Homeland Security agent who dedicated his life to rescuing children from human trafficking. It aims to raise awareness about this global issue and inspire action to combat it. The movie highlights the courage and dedication of individuals like Ballard who risk their lives to save others.

Jim Caviezel, who plays Ballard in the film, recently posted an emotional tribute to his supporters on Twitter. He thanked them for their support and for not letting the media silence their message.

“I’m sitting here thinking about all you amazing Americans that are fighting the battle and helping us in this war against the greatest evil that has ever been,” he added. “Because you know that God’s children are not for sale.” (1)

They filmed the movie five years ago; however, it got buried when Disney bought out 21st Century Fox. Disney was not interested in putting the film out there, however, Utah-based Angel Studios picked it up, eager to get it out to the masses. (2)

Read: Air New Zealand to begin weighing passengers before flights

The Apperent QAnon Connection: A Controversial Tie

Unfortunately, ‘Sound of Freedom’ has also been associated with the QAnon conspiracy theory. QAnon is a far-right conspiracy theory that alleges the existence of a secret global pedophile ring involving high-ranking political figures and celebrities. While the movie itself does not endorse or promote QAnon, some vocal supporters have tried to link it with the conspiracy theory. It is crucial to separate the movie’s message from the unfounded aspects of the conspiracy theory it has been connected to.

The QAnon conspiracy theory has been linked to the Pizzagate conspiracy theory. The latter, which was also based on fake news, claimed that Hillary Clinton’s campaign manager John Podesta was involved in a child sex ring and had used a pizzeria as his cover. In December 2016, an armed man went to the pizzeria with the intent of rescuing children he believed were being held there. He fired shots inside and caused significant damage before surrendering to police officers who had arrived at the scene. (3)

QAnon believers have also spread the adrenochrome conspiracy theory. In this theory, people claim that elites in the world, specifically those in Hollywood and politics, organized a child sex trafficking ring to drain children’s blood and harvest the chemical adrenochrome. They believe that this chemical, specifically from young children, will keep people young. (4)

Jim Caviezel’s Gratitude for Supporters

In light of the controversy surrounding the movie, Jim Caviezel took a moment to thank his supporters for not allowing the media to silence the film’s message. He acknowledges that ‘Sound of Freedom’ has faced resistance and attempts to discredit it due to its connection with QAnon. However, he expressed his appreciation for those who have seen beyond the controversy and recognized the importance of shedding light on child trafficking.

Caviezel emphasizes the need to separate the movie’s genuine intentions from the conspiracy theories it has been linked to. He urges viewers to focus on the movie’s core message and the real-life heroes fighting against child trafficking.

Read: M&M’s Pulls ‘Spokescandies’ After Supposed Controversy

Victim’s And Trafficking Workers Opinions

While many experts agree that bringing attention to human trafficking is important, they were quick to state that the movie doesn’t necessarily represent what it looks like most of the time. Julia Drydyk, the executive director of the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking, says that what it looks like in Canada and the US, for example, is usually quite different. If you think it is all “shadowing online forces” trapping children, you won’t see the trafficking that often happens right under your nose. Even Angel Studio’s website has a statement about this, saying:

“In the beginning of the film, real security camera footage is shown depicting various kidnappings. While such incidents do occur in the realm of human trafficking, it’s important to recognize that they do not represent the majority. When we think of “sex trafficking,” our minds often conjure up images of dimly lit foreign alleyways where vulnerable street children are abducted, exploited, and sold. While this is a horrifying reality, it’s crucial to understand that sex trafficking is not limited to foreign countries—it is an alarming issue within the United States as well, and it is on the rise.
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, reports of human trafficking have been documented in all 50 states (NCMEC, 2022). Predators can take on various forms, including soccer coaches, trusted teachers, neighbors, uncles, and aunts.
Furthermore, the film portrays children being held in shipping containers. It is worth noting that the movie took creative liberties in depicting the different methods of child trafficking. While instances do exist where children are transported in various vehicles, the majority of trafficking occurs through a manipulative grooming process. Sound of Freedom effectively portrays this in the child modeling scenes, where children (and sometimes their parents) are lured with promises of money, food, or affection, only to be exploited or trafficked.” (5)

Many survivors have watched the film, which has incited complicated emotions for them. One told The Toronto Star that she wasn’t angry at the film, but rather that it took a major film to make people care. She also said depicting a white man swooping in to save victims negates the hard work many do to get out on their own.

“If I would have been sitting there waiting for that, I’d still be entrenched in a lifestyle, and within communities where there was coercion, manipulation and exploitation.” said sex trafficking survivor Kelly Tallon Franklin, who is now the founder of Courage for Freedom in Ontario.

The Bottom Line

While the controversy surrounding ‘Sound of Freedom’ cannot be ignored, it is essential to separate fact from fiction. By bringing attention to the issue of child trafficking, the movie aims to make a positive impact. Jim Caviezel’s gratitude towards his supporters demonstrates the importance of recognizing the film’s true message and the heroic efforts of those dedicated to combating child exploitation. Not just one person, but everyone who works in organizations dedicated to eradicating this problem daily. By remaining neutral and presenting the facts, we can foster a more informed discussion about the movie and its subject matter.

Keep Reading: “Trading Places” and the challenge of troubling art of the past

Sources

  1. “Jim Caviezel Thanks Supporters For ‘Not Letting The Media Silence’ ‘Sound Of Freedom’.” Daily Wire. Katie Jerkovich. July 10, 2023.
  2. “Sound of Freedom: Why a film about human trafficking is accused of trafficking in QAnon conspiracies.” The Spec. Alex Boyd. July 16, 2023.
  3. “‘PizzaGate’ Conspiracy Theory Thrives Anew in the TikTok Era.” NY Times.
  4. “Jim Caviezel Claims ‘Sound of Freedom’ Movie Is Not Tied to QAnon, Experts Think Otherwise.” Just Jared. July 18, 2023.
  5. “Sound of Freedom: The True Story Behind the Movie.” Angel. Angel Studios. July 5, 2023