Anti-human-trafficking film ‘Sound of Freedom’ just topped ‘Indiana Jones’ at box office

Verastegui felt called to build a movement to end child sex trafficking.

“That’s when I realized I was called to make a movie, but not only a movie, I wanted to dedicate my life, along with Tim and many other soldiers around the world, warriors who are not afraid to fight, to eradicate child trafficking,” Verastegui said.

“We need a movement,” he said. “Why? Because then we can put pressure on government so this issue can become a priority. And when it becomes a priority, then together, society, government, entertainment, news media, we all together, we can end this terrible reality.”

The film was originally produced under 20th Century Fox and finished in 2018, but it was dropped after Disney bought the studio. Only after being acquired by the Christian “Angel Studios,” known for its TV show “The Chosen,” did Sound of Freedom finally make it into theaters.

The film has had shocking success and resonated with audiences across the country.

Even Elon Musk took notice of the film, suggesting Angel Studios make Sound of Freedom available on Twitter.

To which Verastegui responded: “Thank you Elon, this is [a] great idea! God’s children are not for sale. Can’t wait for you to see the film. ¡Dios te bendiga hermano!”

In a June interview with CNA, Caviezel said that Sound of Freedom “is the best film I’ve done since the ‘Passion of the Christ.’” 

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“There’s good, there’s evil. But a big part of that evil is those that are sitting on the fence. And we have to make a choice,” Caviezel said. “Some are more leaning towards Jesus, more towards good, some are more leaning towards the evil, but they’re on that fence and that fence belongs to the Evil One.” 

“So, we have to make that decision,” Caviezel said. “And I love that about Tim Ballard. He’s a battle hero’s story.”

“God’s children are no longer for sale,” is a powerful line in the film, and Caviezel told CNA why he believes children are under attack, not just through child trafficking, as seen in the movie, but also through abortion. (According to the Guttmacher Institute, almost one million abortions took place in the United States alone in 2020.)

“The most vulnerable are under attack for one reason — children are the most innocent of humans,” Caviezel said.

According to a 2019 report from the Human Trafficking Hotline, California, Texas, Florida, Ohio, and New York rank at the top with the most cases. There are more than 350,000 children who go missing in the U.S. each year. Of those 350,000, it is estimated that roughly 100,000 are being trafficked.