In the heart of Hollywood’s glitz and glamor a film emerged, tackling one of society’s most harrowing issues – child trafficking. “The Sound of Freedom,” directed by Alejandro Monteverde, has sparked immense controversy even before its release, raising questions about the film industry’s willingness to confront these difficult subjects.
The movie delves into the true story of Tim Ballard, a former U.S. government operative turned private investigator, who embarks on a relentless mission to rescue children from human traffickers. The film sheds light on the dark underbelly of child trafficking, a topic often swept under the rug.
Andrea Celada, a senior at ILS, said, “The movie brought me to tears and brought to light the horrors I wasn’t even aware of.”
Despite the film’s powerful message, Hollywood initially dismissed “The Sound of Freedom.” People questioned the industry’s readiness to address such a sensitive issue. This dismissal raised concerns about the priorities of the entertainment industry, leaving audiences wondering if profit margins took precedence underscoring important societal problems.
Mia Suarez, a junior, shared her frustration, stating, “It was upsetting trying to find a platform to watch the movie on, but not a single streaming site had it available.”
Streaming platforms like Netflix and other entertainment sites hesitated to pick up the film, further showing the reluctance of major distributors to address such a difficult topic. The controversy raised essential questions about the film industry’s responsibility to engage with challenging subjects. However, the filmmakers and a passionate group of supporters persisted, believing in the importance of sharing this story with the world.
Daniela Aguila, a senior, emphasized the movie’s importance, saying, “I was surprised to hear that not a lot of people have even watched the movie or even heard of it because I think it’s something everyone should watch, whether it’s a little unrealistic or not, it tells a very important story.”
At its core, the movie is a tale of resilience, hope, and the unwavering determination to protect the most vulnerable members of society. The end credits of the movie tell viewers that, “Human trafficking is a 150 billion-dollar-a-year business,” and continues noting that more humans trapped in slavery today than at any other time in history—including when slavery was legal and millions of those slaves are children.”
Through Tim Ballard’s courageous journey, the film emphasized the need for awareness and action to combat child trafficking globally. As the movie powerfully conveys, “God’s children are not for sale,” serving as a reminder of the value of every young life and the urgency not only end, but to protect and value life.
