Jim Caviezel believes that “Sound of Freedom” is the top July 4 film because it sheds light on the heartbreaking issue of child trafficking.
Sound of Freedom Takes the Box Office by Storm
On the Fourth of July, Sound of Freedom made waves at the box office, claiming the coveted No. 1 spot ahead of Disney’s latest Indiana Jones film.
The independent film, distributed by Angel Studios, brought in an impressive $14.2 million, surpassing Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, which earned nearly $11.7 million.
A Grassroots Movement
“This movie has now taken on a life of its own to become something more than that, a grassroots movement,” Angel Studios CEO Neal Harmon told the Washington Examiner. “With an A+ CinemaScore rating, we’re the top-rated movie in America, and we’re going to see word-of-mouth spread even further going into the weekend. The world needs to see Sound of Freedom, and we know that our biggest competitive advantage — our incredible fans and investors — are going to make sure that happens.”
Sound of Freedom tells the gripping true story of Tim Ballard, a former federal agent with Homeland Security, who courageously quit his job and risked his life to rescue children from sex slavery in the jungles of Colombia.
Jim Caviezel, known for his role in The Passion of the Christ, portrays Ballard’s character in the film. Reflecting on the success of the theatrical release, Caviezel emphasized that it was never about competing with Disney.
A Battle for Good
“This isn’t about them. It’s not about Angel Studios putting it out. It’s about the children,” Caviezel said. “And Americans waking up right now. And the only way these [child trafficking] laws are going to be changed is if the people move right now to save them.
“This is a good versus evil story. This is a battle hero story, and I was very blessed that I got the opportunity, just as I was blessed to do The Passion of the Christ. And this is the best film I’ve done since that film,” he added. “It is a controversial issue. It shouldn’t be. We should naturally want to save our children, but again, there are those out there that want to exploit them.”
Harmon revealed that Sound of Freedom’s theatrical release came more than five years after the film’s completion. Originally made with 21st Century Fox, the film faced obstacles when Disney acquired Fox and decided not to release it.
A Long Journey
“Initially made with Fox, after it was completed, Fox was acquired by Disney who said, ‘We can’t release this film,'” Harmon explained. “Eduardo [Verástegui, the film’s producer,] spent over a year before Disney released the rights to the film. At that time, he tried to take it to theaters but just as they were, COVID hit and another three years passed.”
In response to the film’s distribution journey, Caviezel urged people to focus on the film’s message and take action.
A Call to Action
“We are not Disney’s film. We are the people’s film. Can we love our children? Can we love God’s children more than we fear evil? That’s the challenge here, and Americans are up to it, and I love it. They hear the sound of freedom because God’s children are no longer for sale.”
The film also features Academy Award winner Mira Sorvino from Mighty Aphrodite and Bill Camp from 12 Years a Slave. It was produced by Eduardo Verástegui and written and directed by Alejandro Monteverde.
Sound of Freedom premiered in 2,634 theaters on July 4 and achieved over $10 million in ticket presales.
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