Sound of Freedom (2023)

A glimpse into the darkness

Sound of Freedom is a challenging watch. It tackles the complex and important topic of child sex trafficking. Its intended purpose is to create a conversation about this issue that is occurring all around the world. The story follows the real-life experiences of Tim Ballard. Ballard was a US federal agent who risked his life to save a brother and sister whom human traffickers had snatched. While the intentions of the filmmakers are commendable, the execution falls short at times because of a lack of depth and nuance.

Sound of Freedom is appropriately sombre, and the opening shots, which look like security camera incidents, set the tone. Child trafficking is a serious subject, and it is entirely appropriate that the film conveys the urgency and gravity of this issue.

The performances are solid. Jim Caviezel, who plays the federal agent, delivers a heartfelt portrayal of the real Tim Ballard. Unfortunately, some of the supporting characters feel underdeveloped. I would have liked to have seen more depth and complexity in the story. Some of the events and actions of the characters come across as being too easily accomplished, which I found hard to believe given the complexity of the situations and the challenges faced by those who work in this area.

Alejandro Monteverde does a reasonable job of directing the film and captures the story’s emotional weight. But there are moments when the pacing feels uneven, hindering the overall impact of some of the scenes. The score complements the film’s emotional beats and enhances the experience of viewing it. And the cinematography is engaging and captures the story’s darkness and hope. Sound of Freedom focuses on the story rather than flashy special effects, and the use of colour is subtle. Still, its muted tones create a realistic sense of the bleak circumstances, and there were moments when I felt immersed in the world it was portraying.

The dialogue of Sound of Freedom is one of the most impactful features of the story. There are many powerful messages about the importance of fighting against the evil of human trafficking. Sometimes, the dialogue becomes overly didactic, and we lose the subtlety and power of a more indirect approach.

Despite its flaws, I was deeply moved by Sound of Freedom. The horror of the real-life experiences depicted in this story is heartbreaking and confronting. At the same time, I was frustrated when opportunities were missed for more significant impact.

Sound of Freedom is a commendable effort to shed light on a shocking problem. More people are in some form of slavery now than ever in history. And many of them are children. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2021), which compiled the experiences of 51,675 victims of trafficking in 2020 across 166 countries, approximately 18% of those trafficked were female children, and another 17% were male children. (See the reference below if you want to find out more.) And we need to remember that these are only the children we know about. There are many more that are unknown.

While I have some issues with the movie as a movie, it is essential viewing for everyone. It will have done its job if it succeeds in raising awareness and sparking conversations. Please see it.

(In cinemas in Australia – check your local movie guide for show times.) 

Reference: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2021). Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2020. https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/tip/2021/GLOTiP_2020_15jan_web.pdf