SOUND OF FREEDOM (2023) – Thought provoking and socially relevant masterpiece! One of the year’s best!

This film tackles the seldom hyped topic of child and human trafficking that is happening around the world today. It is a low budget, modestly produced gem that is very well made and very well acted. Sound of Freedom is based on the amazing true story of Tim Ballard, an ex-cop whose expertise is to entrap pedophiles. One day he decided to take it upon himself to go beyond his duties and actually did something to rescue the children as well.

Jim Caviezel whom some of you might remember playing the role of Jesus in the Mel Gibson faith-based movie The Passion, reminds us here of what a great and accomplished actor he is with his portrayal of the real-life hero Tim Ballard. He shows his passion for this role through a performance that is Oscar worthy. In fact, I can clearly see and feel the passion of the film makers in this movie from how well it is made and acted. The photography and camera work are top class from the angle they were shot, and the details captured in the location and landscape. The acting is also consistently excellent across the board. The child actors here gave convincing portrayals and shown a great range of emotions from carefree innocence to desolation and dispiritedness. Even the bit players always look convincing and authentic whether they are playing local portraying the ruthless gun toting guerillas or villagers in the Colombian jungles.

What ultimately elevates this movie above others is its central theme about child sex trafficking which is so shockingly portrayed. Despite this violent subject matter the film makers professionally steered clear of any exploitative use of gore, nudity or vulgarities. Director Alejandro Monteverde cleverly filmed one of the film’s more violent scenes by interspersing it with blank screens as the point of view of the child who was told to have her eyes closed during the struggle! Alejandro may not have made many movies yet, but he clearly demonstrates his craftmanship here with the level of details, and interesting camera work throughout. The pacing of the movie was perfect as evident by the feeling that the story flowed so seamlessly and there was not a single moment wasted in the process.

Sound of Freedom is acquired and distributed by a faith-based movie studio ANGEL Studios because somehow no major Hollywood studio wanted anything to do with it! Don’t worry, the film is not preachy at all, and left any political or religious agenda at the door, focusing instead on telling an important story well. Any link to faith was subtle and never forced upon the viewer. This was a surprise box office hit in the US earlier this year, but it seems to be struggling to get a wider global distribution, hence, remains mostly unavailable in the cinemas and streaming services. Finally, a word of advice. Make sure you stay on during the film’s closing credit roll for an inspiring announcement by its star Jim Caviezel.