Alejandro Monteverde’s last movie, the wildly profitable Christian thriller “Sound of Freedom,” was dogged by accusations that its anti-trafficking hero was himself guilty of fraud and grooming — a tough break for a piece of conspiracy-driven Maga theology that purported to shine a light on the secret cabal of sex criminals who are hiding in plain sight. Monteverde presumably had no way of knowing that Tim Ballard would become the target of a criminal investigation and get ousted from the very organization that “Sound of Freedom” exists to valorize, but his follow-up feature — shot in 2021 — seems designed to avoid any hint of a similar controversy.
Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini may not have been as pure and perfect a soul as Monteverde’s biopic imagines she was, but the director can rest easy in the knowledge that his newest subject is a literal saint. At this point, more than a century after Cabrini’s death,...
Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini may not have been as pure and perfect a soul as Monteverde’s biopic imagines she was, but the director can rest easy in the knowledge that his newest subject is a literal saint. At this point, more than a century after Cabrini’s death,...
- 3/5/2024
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
No one expected Sound of Freedom to make such a big splash at the North American box office last summer. Nevertheless, this long-shelved drama starring Jim Caviezel as Tim Ballard, the controversial head of Operation Underground Railroad, out-grossed Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, as well as Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning. But, the film wasn’t without controversy, with many online assuming it was somehow linked to QAnon, something the director Alejandro Monteverde denied, saying the goal of the movie was to expose child sex trafficking and that it was never intended to be a political film.
Now, Monteverde is back with perhaps an even more ambitious film, Cabrini, which is based on the life of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American citizen ever to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church. To mark the film’s release, we sat down with Monteverde to discuss...
Now, Monteverde is back with perhaps an even more ambitious film, Cabrini, which is based on the life of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American citizen ever to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church. To mark the film’s release, we sat down with Monteverde to discuss...
- 3/5/2024
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
There had been some grumblings around town that “Sound of Freedom” was only a box-office hit because of Angel Studios’ Pay-It-Forward system, in which moviegoers could effectively buy another ticket for a complete stranger. Angel Studios just cleared that talk right up.
In a Monday blog post, Angel broke down “Sound of Freedom’s” near-$250 million global box-office haul. The donation system brought in $26.1 million in contributions from individuals, which was enough for 1.82 million free tickets. Not all of them were redeemed.
In all, $21.7 million of that $26.1 million was actually claimed and used for tickets, which means roughly 9 percent of the film’s quarter-billion-dollar box-office revenue box came from strangers prepaying for strangers. The usage rate was twice that on opening day gross.
The system proved quite lucrative for Angel Studios — but it was not pure profit. The company spent $6.4 million marketing the program and sacrificed another $1.1 million to third-party ticketing fees.
In a Monday blog post, Angel broke down “Sound of Freedom’s” near-$250 million global box-office haul. The donation system brought in $26.1 million in contributions from individuals, which was enough for 1.82 million free tickets. Not all of them were redeemed.
In all, $21.7 million of that $26.1 million was actually claimed and used for tickets, which means roughly 9 percent of the film’s quarter-billion-dollar box-office revenue box came from strangers prepaying for strangers. The usage rate was twice that on opening day gross.
The system proved quite lucrative for Angel Studios — but it was not pure profit. The company spent $6.4 million marketing the program and sacrificed another $1.1 million to third-party ticketing fees.
- 3/5/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Sound of Freedom distributor Angel Studios says it distributed more than its planned outlay of “pay-it-forward” tickets to the summer 2023 blockbuster.
In a set of financials provided to Deadline, the company said customers paid $26,075,511 toward the “pay-it-forward” pool of tickets, which allotted $15 per person. Customers expected the company to give out at least 1,738,367 tickets, but in the end officials say they distributed 1,827,634 tickets, or 105% of the initial commitment.
With Jim Caviezel starring as real-life anti-child-trafficking activist Tim Ballard, the film became a left-field box office smash last summer, outdoing mega-budget Hollywood titles like Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Its global cume was $249.5 million, including $184.2 million in North America.
Angel CEO Neal Harmon spoke to Deadline about the company’s origins and financial model. He shared statistics about Sound of Freedom during the course of that conversation. (See full financials below.)
In addition to off-screen controversy about Ballard...
In a set of financials provided to Deadline, the company said customers paid $26,075,511 toward the “pay-it-forward” pool of tickets, which allotted $15 per person. Customers expected the company to give out at least 1,738,367 tickets, but in the end officials say they distributed 1,827,634 tickets, or 105% of the initial commitment.
With Jim Caviezel starring as real-life anti-child-trafficking activist Tim Ballard, the film became a left-field box office smash last summer, outdoing mega-budget Hollywood titles like Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Its global cume was $249.5 million, including $184.2 million in North America.
Angel CEO Neal Harmon spoke to Deadline about the company’s origins and financial model. He shared statistics about Sound of Freedom during the course of that conversation. (See full financials below.)
In addition to off-screen controversy about Ballard...
- 3/4/2024
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
A new, fifth lawsuit against disgraced anti-trafficking activist Tim Ballard, whose exaggerated rescue missions abroad were the inspiration for the hit film Sound of Freedom, has also taken aim at Angel Studios, the distributor of the controversial 2023 movie. It’s the first civil action targeting Ballard that simultaneously goes after the media company that made millions by mythologizing his exploits.
Brought by the same law firms representing multiple women accusing Ballard of sexual assault in previous complaints (allegations Ballard disputes), this latest suit claims that Ballard and various companies connected...
Brought by the same law firms representing multiple women accusing Ballard of sexual assault in previous complaints (allegations Ballard disputes), this latest suit claims that Ballard and various companies connected...
- 2/24/2024
- by Miles Klee
- Rollingstone.com
Sound of Freedom, the surprise box office hit of the summer, is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video and reigniting prior controversies.
Starring Passion of the Christ's Jim Caviezel, Sound of Freedom follows Tim Ballard, a real-life former special agent and founder of Operation Underground Railroad (Our), who embarks on a rogue mission to rescue children from sex traffickers in Columbia.
The faith-based thriller from Angel Studios stunned the industry with its box office performance in July. But in addition to producing ticket sales, Sound of Freedom also generated considerable backlash.
Read full article on The Direct.
Starring Passion of the Christ's Jim Caviezel, Sound of Freedom follows Tim Ballard, a real-life former special agent and founder of Operation Underground Railroad (Our), who embarks on a rogue mission to rescue children from sex traffickers in Columbia.
The faith-based thriller from Angel Studios stunned the industry with its box office performance in July. But in addition to producing ticket sales, Sound of Freedom also generated considerable backlash.
Read full article on The Direct.
- 12/31/2023
- by Savannah Sanders
- The Direct
In a multi-screen digital world, Google’s search world has become increasingly key to marketing movies to a worldwide audience — especially in the run-up to opening weekends.
With Barbie and Oppenheimer making waves at the multiplex last summer, Barbenheimer had an unsurprisingly ripple effect for both tentpoles — as they topped the Google Trends table for the most movie queries made worldwide in 2023.
Google Trends tracks user searches, including on YouTube where trailers impact movie picks for cinema-goers. Much depends on demographics and regional appeal, of course, as this year’s table for Google Trends was topped by movies as disparate as titles about an iconic Mattel doll movie, the father of the nuclear bomb and a child trafficking drama.
So, let’s dig deeper into Google’s global search results for the past year, which are revealed to have tracked pretty well in box office trends.
1) Barbie
Director Greta Gerwig...
With Barbie and Oppenheimer making waves at the multiplex last summer, Barbenheimer had an unsurprisingly ripple effect for both tentpoles — as they topped the Google Trends table for the most movie queries made worldwide in 2023.
Google Trends tracks user searches, including on YouTube where trailers impact movie picks for cinema-goers. Much depends on demographics and regional appeal, of course, as this year’s table for Google Trends was topped by movies as disparate as titles about an iconic Mattel doll movie, the father of the nuclear bomb and a child trafficking drama.
So, let’s dig deeper into Google’s global search results for the past year, which are revealed to have tracked pretty well in box office trends.
1) Barbie
Director Greta Gerwig...
- 12/15/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
2023 is going to be a year that we look back on for some time as an important one in cinema history. We've had monster hit movies, yes, but more than that, it was a year of transition for Hollywood. The great box office recovery in the pandemic era continued, but it did so by bucking trends. The charge wasn't led by superheroes, nor by Disney remakes or anything we've come to expect over the last decade or so. From adult-skewing biopics to video game icons, and even faith-based cinema, moviegoers turned out this year in unexpected ways.
This will go down as the first year in decades that sequels didn't reign supreme atop the global box office. It marks the first time in recent memory that superhero movies, by and large, weren't a guaranteed pathway to success. It was a year in which one of the biggest movies came out...
This will go down as the first year in decades that sequels didn't reign supreme atop the global box office. It marks the first time in recent memory that superhero movies, by and large, weren't a guaranteed pathway to success. It was a year in which one of the biggest movies came out...
- 12/14/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
When the child-trafficking drama Sound of Freedom conquered the box office this summer, ultimately taking in more than $242 million worldwide, it was touted as a triumph. Leading man Jim Caviezel, hardly seen since his CBS sci-fi series Person of Interest ended in 2016, proved that he could still command an audience. Tim Ballard, the anti-trafficking activist whose purported rescues of abducted children inspired the film, basked in its hagiographic glow. Director and co-writer Alejando Monteverde, who had once believed this project “would never see the light of day,” witnessed it become a global phenomenon.
- 12/14/2023
- by Miles Klee
- Rollingstone.com
Since conservative audiences flocked to Sound of Freedom this summer, turning a biopic about Tim Ballard’s supposed exploits as an anti-trafficking operator into an unlikely hit, Ballard has had his heroic mythology rapidly stripped away in a series of lawsuits, formal rebukes, and dissolved relationships. But in recent days, his legal problems have gotten even worse — and now Operation Underground Railroad (Our), the advocacy group he founded in 2013, is in the crosshairs as well.
Ballard was apparently forced out of Utah-based Our before the premiere of the Sound of Freedom,...
Ballard was apparently forced out of Utah-based Our before the premiere of the Sound of Freedom,...
- 11/22/2023
- by Miles Klee
- Rollingstone.com
Amazon Prime Video has acquired streaming rights for “Sound of Freedom,” this summer’s unlikely (and controversial) box office hit.
The film will be available to Prime Video subscribers in the U.S. for no additional charge on Dec. 26. It’s already available for purchase or rent on digital platforms, including Prime Video.
“Sound of Freedom” was released theatrically in July and generated $184 million in North America and $242 million globally. It became the first independent release in post-pandemic times to surpass $100 million in the U.S. and Canada and currently ranks as the 10th biggest domestic film of the year.
Religious and conservative media groups rallied behind the film, which was partially crowdfunded and backed by the Utah-based Angel Studios. The independent streaming and distribution company used unconventional efforts to promote “Sound of Freedom,” including a “Pay It Forward” app to allow people to buy and donate tickets to others.
The film will be available to Prime Video subscribers in the U.S. for no additional charge on Dec. 26. It’s already available for purchase or rent on digital platforms, including Prime Video.
“Sound of Freedom” was released theatrically in July and generated $184 million in North America and $242 million globally. It became the first independent release in post-pandemic times to surpass $100 million in the U.S. and Canada and currently ranks as the 10th biggest domestic film of the year.
Religious and conservative media groups rallied behind the film, which was partially crowdfunded and backed by the Utah-based Angel Studios. The independent streaming and distribution company used unconventional efforts to promote “Sound of Freedom,” including a “Pay It Forward” app to allow people to buy and donate tickets to others.
- 11/3/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
After the release of “Sound of Freedom” in July, journalist and trafficking survivior-turned-advocate Sabra Boyd said she heard the refrain over and over: “How dare you criticize this. Don’t you want to save the children?”
Boyd criticized the film on Twitter, calling it “trauma porn” and writing that, like “Taken,” it ignored bigger realities of abuse that don’t lend themselves to sensationalized action movies. However, “Sound of Freedom” opened her to an unexpected level of online harassment.
“The thing that made me spend two days crying was I got called a pedophile, simply because I criticized ‘Sound of Freedom.’ I just can’t comprehend calling someone that,” Boyd told IndieWire. “That’s not a word that you just fling around, especially to someone who is a survivor of pedophile predators. You can’t say that to someone if you don’t understand what that word means. I can...
Boyd criticized the film on Twitter, calling it “trauma porn” and writing that, like “Taken,” it ignored bigger realities of abuse that don’t lend themselves to sensationalized action movies. However, “Sound of Freedom” opened her to an unexpected level of online harassment.
“The thing that made me spend two days crying was I got called a pedophile, simply because I criticized ‘Sound of Freedom.’ I just can’t comprehend calling someone that,” Boyd told IndieWire. “That’s not a word that you just fling around, especially to someone who is a survivor of pedophile predators. You can’t say that to someone if you don’t understand what that word means. I can...
- 10/13/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Child kidnapping accessory charges have been dropped against Fabian Marta, one of the thousands of individuals who crowdfunded the controversial anti-child trafficking movie Sound of Freedom.
As reported in Newsweek, Marta was arrested by St. Louis Metropolitan Police in late July and charged by the Missouri Circuit Court as an accessory to child kidnapping. Per USA Today, the court released a memo on September 25th saying that a grand jury determined there was insufficient evidence to obtain a conviction.
Missouri Circuit Court public information officer Christine Bertelson further clarified to the newspaper that “there was no kidnapping.” Instead, the case was actually the result of “a misunderstanding” between relatives of the children.
Following Marta’s arrest, his attorney, Scott Rosenblum, told St. Louis’ KMOV4 that the charges were “unfounded” because his client was merely offering living space to another suspect in the case in exchange for rehabbing some of Marta’s other properties.
As reported in Newsweek, Marta was arrested by St. Louis Metropolitan Police in late July and charged by the Missouri Circuit Court as an accessory to child kidnapping. Per USA Today, the court released a memo on September 25th saying that a grand jury determined there was insufficient evidence to obtain a conviction.
Missouri Circuit Court public information officer Christine Bertelson further clarified to the newspaper that “there was no kidnapping.” Instead, the case was actually the result of “a misunderstanding” between relatives of the children.
Following Marta’s arrest, his attorney, Scott Rosenblum, told St. Louis’ KMOV4 that the charges were “unfounded” because his client was merely offering living space to another suspect in the case in exchange for rehabbing some of Marta’s other properties.
- 10/11/2023
- by Jo Vito and Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Film News
If you missed the religious thriller Sound of Freedom this summer, you can soon watch the film at home. Here’s everything you need to know for how to watch Sound of Freedom online.
The movie, which debuted July 4 and has amassed over $210 million at the domestic box office, tells the true story of a federal agent, Tim Ballard (Person of Interest’s Jim Caviezel), who rescues a girl from child traffickers.
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The movie, which debuted July 4 and has amassed over $210 million at the domestic box office, tells the true story of a federal agent, Tim Ballard (Person of Interest’s Jim Caviezel), who rescues a girl from child traffickers.
More from TVLineUpload Sneak Peek: Drunk Ingrid Confronts Nathan About Nora (Exclusive)How to Stream the Final Indiana Jones Film, Dial of Destiny2023 World Series: How to Watch Diamondbacks vs.
- 9/28/2023
- by How to Stream Team
- TVLine.com
A group of women who allegedly experienced abuse while working for Operation Underground Railroad (Our) — a nonprofit that claims to fight sex trafficking, and was behind the summer blockbuster Sound of Freedom — are speaking out via a lawyer, Suzette Rasmussen. On Thursday, the attorney released a statement from the women, who are all remaining anonymous.
“Our involvement with Operation Underground Railroad was rooted in our commitment to fighting against human trafficking,” the women said in a statement. “But while engaging in that noble cause, we were subjected to sexual harassment,...
“Our involvement with Operation Underground Railroad was rooted in our commitment to fighting against human trafficking,” the women said in a statement. “But while engaging in that noble cause, we were subjected to sexual harassment,...
- 9/28/2023
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
The industry watched in shock as Angel Studios’ summer hit “Sound of Freedom” grossed $183 million in North American theaters — but certainly a major streamer would nab the lucrative indie drama. Now, after much consideration, Angel chose… Angel Studios.
As of October 13, “Sound of Freedom” will be available exclusively on Angel Studios’ own subscription viewing service, Angel Guild. The press announcement did not name a price nor did Angel respond to a request for comment, but the charge for an auto-renewed Angel Guild membership is $20 per month (about the same as a typical $19.99 PVOD rental) or $175 per year.
That’s about 100 days after its theatrical debut. After three weeks exclusively on Angel Guild, “Sound of Freedom” will be available for digital purchase November 3, with DVD and Blu-ray to follow November 14 on Angel Studios’ retail site as well as major retailers. Digital rental will be available December 15.
Angel provided no pricing information...
As of October 13, “Sound of Freedom” will be available exclusively on Angel Studios’ own subscription viewing service, Angel Guild. The press announcement did not name a price nor did Angel respond to a request for comment, but the charge for an auto-renewed Angel Guild membership is $20 per month (about the same as a typical $19.99 PVOD rental) or $175 per year.
That’s about 100 days after its theatrical debut. After three weeks exclusively on Angel Guild, “Sound of Freedom” will be available for digital purchase November 3, with DVD and Blu-ray to follow November 14 on Angel Studios’ retail site as well as major retailers. Digital rental will be available December 15.
Angel provided no pricing information...
- 9/27/2023
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.
You can soon hear the “Sound of Freedom” from home. The film, which made its theatrical debut in July, will get digital and physical releases throughout October and November.
Angel Studios, the Angel investor-backed studio behind the film, will begin an exclusive viewing window for the film on Oct. 13 via the Angel Studios app, followed by digital purchase on Nov. 3.
DVDs and Blu-rays will become available on Nov. 14 at shop.angel.com, plus Walmart, Amazon, and other major retailers, while digital rental (Tvod) will be available on Dec. 15.
Buy: Sound of Freedom $23.45
“The Angel Guild selected and made ‘Sound of Freedom’ so successful theatrically. They decide what projects are green-lit and are presented to audiences,” Jared Geesey, chief distribution officer at Angel Studios, said in a statement. “We are...
You can soon hear the “Sound of Freedom” from home. The film, which made its theatrical debut in July, will get digital and physical releases throughout October and November.
Angel Studios, the Angel investor-backed studio behind the film, will begin an exclusive viewing window for the film on Oct. 13 via the Angel Studios app, followed by digital purchase on Nov. 3.
DVDs and Blu-rays will become available on Nov. 14 at shop.angel.com, plus Walmart, Amazon, and other major retailers, while digital rental (Tvod) will be available on Dec. 15.
Buy: Sound of Freedom $23.45
“The Angel Guild selected and made ‘Sound of Freedom’ so successful theatrically. They decide what projects are green-lit and are presented to audiences,” Jared Geesey, chief distribution officer at Angel Studios, said in a statement. “We are...
- 9/27/2023
- by Anna Tingley
- Variety Film + TV
Over the summer, Ivanka Trump joined her father, Donald Trump, and other conservatives in support of the surprise summer movie hit, Sound of Freedom.
The story depicts the supposed real-life heroics of former federal agent Tim Ballard, who rescued South American children from sex traffickers.
Ivanka posted on X, “Sound of Freedom sheds light on the harrowing reality of #HumanTrafficking, awakening our collective conscience and inspiring us to take action for those trapped in its dark web.”
However, a new report has presented the much more disturbing reality of the film.
Earlier this year, Ballard exited Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), a nonprofit United States-based anti-sex trafficking organization, after he was under investigation for seven women’s claims of sexual misconduct.
Ballard allegedly had pressured women to pretend to be his wife, take showers or share a bed with him while he was on rescue missions in South America.
The story depicts the supposed real-life heroics of former federal agent Tim Ballard, who rescued South American children from sex traffickers.
Ivanka posted on X, “Sound of Freedom sheds light on the harrowing reality of #HumanTrafficking, awakening our collective conscience and inspiring us to take action for those trapped in its dark web.”
However, a new report has presented the much more disturbing reality of the film.
Earlier this year, Ballard exited Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), a nonprofit United States-based anti-sex trafficking organization, after he was under investigation for seven women’s claims of sexual misconduct.
Ballard allegedly had pressured women to pretend to be his wife, take showers or share a bed with him while he was on rescue missions in South America.
- 9/25/2023
- by Bay Zisman
- Uinterview
Anti–child trafficking crusader Tim Ballard has denied the recent Vice report that accused Ballard of sexual misconduct with seven women, and is claiming it is a conspiracy “designed to destory me.”
“As with all of the assaults on my character and integrity over many years, the latest tabloid-driven sexual allegations are false,” Ballard said in a statement to TheWrap. “They are baseless inventions designed to destroy me and the movement we have built to end the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable children.”
Ballard added: “During my time at O.U.R., I designed strict guidelines for myself and our operators in the field. Sexual contact was prohibited, and I led by example. Given our meticulous attention to this issue, any suggestion of inappropriate sexual contact is categorically false.”
According to the report, Ballard enlisted women to accompany him as a “spouse” during secretive overseas operations ostensibly aimed at rescuing victims of sex trafficking.
“As with all of the assaults on my character and integrity over many years, the latest tabloid-driven sexual allegations are false,” Ballard said in a statement to TheWrap. “They are baseless inventions designed to destroy me and the movement we have built to end the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable children.”
Ballard added: “During my time at O.U.R., I designed strict guidelines for myself and our operators in the field. Sexual contact was prohibited, and I led by example. Given our meticulous attention to this issue, any suggestion of inappropriate sexual contact is categorically false.”
According to the report, Ballard enlisted women to accompany him as a “spouse” during secretive overseas operations ostensibly aimed at rescuing victims of sex trafficking.
- 9/19/2023
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Paul Hutchinson — an executive producer on Sound of Freedom, the film loosely based on anti-trafficking expert Tim Ballard — has admitted to touching the breasts of a possibly underage trafficking victim during a 2016 sting operation in Mexico.
At the time, Hutchinson was working with Operation Underground Railroad (or Our), the anti-trafficking group founded by Ballard in 2013. According to a Vice report, footage catching Hutchinson in the act was captured by videographers working with Our on a documentary and subsequent TV series called The Abolitionists. This footage was then reviewed by investigator Bryan Purdy of the Davis County Attorney’s Office, who wrote detailed descriptions of it as part of an FBI investigation into Ballard and Our that was closed earlier this year without any charges being brought forward.
Documents obtained through a public records request from Vice News include descriptions showing that Hutchinson and Our believed the trafficking victim was 16 years old at the time.
At the time, Hutchinson was working with Operation Underground Railroad (or Our), the anti-trafficking group founded by Ballard in 2013. According to a Vice report, footage catching Hutchinson in the act was captured by videographers working with Our on a documentary and subsequent TV series called The Abolitionists. This footage was then reviewed by investigator Bryan Purdy of the Davis County Attorney’s Office, who wrote detailed descriptions of it as part of an FBI investigation into Ballard and Our that was closed earlier this year without any charges being brought forward.
Documents obtained through a public records request from Vice News include descriptions showing that Hutchinson and Our believed the trafficking victim was 16 years old at the time.
- 9/19/2023
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Film News
Tim Ballard, the former Homeland Security agent turned anti-sex-trafficking crusader whose life provided inspiration to summer box office hit Sound of Freedom, is slamming a recent Vice expose that accuses him of sexual misconduct with seven women during his time with his organization Operation Underground Railroad.
“As with all of the assaults on my character and integrity over many years, the latest tabloid-driven sexual allegations are false,” said Ballard in a statement, “They are baseless inventions designed to destroy me and the movement we have built to end the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable children.”
The Vice piece reported that Ballard invited women to act as his wife on undercover overseas missions when he was rescuing victims of sex trafficking. Among myriad claims in the report, Ballard would reportedly coerce these women into sharing a bed or showering together, explaining that such tactics were necessary to fool traffickers. Ballard is...
“As with all of the assaults on my character and integrity over many years, the latest tabloid-driven sexual allegations are false,” said Ballard in a statement, “They are baseless inventions designed to destroy me and the movement we have built to end the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable children.”
The Vice piece reported that Ballard invited women to act as his wife on undercover overseas missions when he was rescuing victims of sex trafficking. Among myriad claims in the report, Ballard would reportedly coerce these women into sharing a bed or showering together, explaining that such tactics were necessary to fool traffickers. Ballard is...
- 9/19/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The team behind Sound of Freedom has remained silent so far on new allegations involving Tim Ballard, who is portrayed in the movie as a hero by Passion of the Christ’s Jim Caviezel.
Ballard, founder of the anti-child-trafficking group Operation Underground Railroad, rose to new levels of prominence this summer when the film turned into a sleeper hit that has grossed more than $182 million domestically and $210 million worldwide.
On Monday, a Vice News report detailed anonymous allegations against Ballard relating to his quiet exit in late June from Our, which he launched in 2013. His departure came as Sound of Freedom filmmaker Alejandro Monteverde and Angel Studios were readying the film for release over the July Fourth holiday.
Ballard, a former Department of Homeland Security official, embarked on undercover overseas missions to fight child trafficking upon starting Our According to Vice, he brought women to pose as his wife on...
Ballard, founder of the anti-child-trafficking group Operation Underground Railroad, rose to new levels of prominence this summer when the film turned into a sleeper hit that has grossed more than $182 million domestically and $210 million worldwide.
On Monday, a Vice News report detailed anonymous allegations against Ballard relating to his quiet exit in late June from Our, which he launched in 2013. His departure came as Sound of Freedom filmmaker Alejandro Monteverde and Angel Studios were readying the film for release over the July Fourth holiday.
Ballard, a former Department of Homeland Security official, embarked on undercover overseas missions to fight child trafficking upon starting Our According to Vice, he brought women to pose as his wife on...
- 9/18/2023
- by Aaron Couch and Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tim Ballard, whose purported rescues of sex-trafficking victims were fictionalized in the hit summer movie Sound of Freedom, earlier this year left the advocacy group he founded after an internal investigation of sexual misconduct claims, sources familiar with the organization have confirmed.
According to Vice News, which corroborated reporting from Utah journalist Lynn Packer, Ballard stepped down as CEO of the anti-trafficking nonprofit Operation Underground Railroad amid complaints from seven women who said he made inappropriate advances in the course of missions abroad. His accusers — who have remained anonymous for...
According to Vice News, which corroborated reporting from Utah journalist Lynn Packer, Ballard stepped down as CEO of the anti-trafficking nonprofit Operation Underground Railroad amid complaints from seven women who said he made inappropriate advances in the course of missions abroad. His accusers — who have remained anonymous for...
- 9/18/2023
- by Miles Klee
- Rollingstone.com
Update: Tim Ballard has responded to Vice’s report on his alleged sexual misconduct. In a statement released Monday evening to IndieWire by his new organization The Spear Fund, Ballard did not name Vice, but affirmed his commitment to anti-sex trafficking efforts and criticized what he called “a tabloid that is often hostile to people of faith.”
“Evil pedophiles will stop at nothing, and they have allies in government, in the media, in big corporations, and even in public institutions. They continue to lie and attempt to destroy my good name and defame my character…and they will never stop,” Ballard said in his statement.
Ballard also questioned the authenticity of a statement published by Vice from a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spokesperson, alleging that the church has not verified the statement as real and calling the timing of the news after Mitt Romney’s retirement announcement “highly suspicious.
“Evil pedophiles will stop at nothing, and they have allies in government, in the media, in big corporations, and even in public institutions. They continue to lie and attempt to destroy my good name and defame my character…and they will never stop,” Ballard said in his statement.
Ballard also questioned the authenticity of a statement published by Vice from a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spokesperson, alleging that the church has not verified the statement as real and calling the timing of the news after Mitt Romney’s retirement announcement “highly suspicious.
- 9/18/2023
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Tim Ballard, the real-life founder and onetime CEO of Operation Underground Railroad who is portrayed by Jim Caviezel in the indie hit Sound of Freedom, was the subject of sexual misconduct allegations and a related investigation involving seven women, according to a story published by Vice.
Operation Underground Railroad is an organization, founded in 2013, whose mission is to combat child sex trafficking.
In a statement to Vice, the organization reportedly confirmed that Ballard “resigned from O.U.R. on June 22, 2023,” and that “he has permanently separated from O.U.R.”
Further, said the statement, “O.U.R. is dedicated to combatting sexual abuse, and does not tolerate sexual harassment or discrimination by anyone in its organization.”
The group stated it “retained an independent law firm to conduct a comprehensive investigation of all relevant allegations,” but would make no further comment “to preserve the integrity of its investigation and to protect...
Operation Underground Railroad is an organization, founded in 2013, whose mission is to combat child sex trafficking.
In a statement to Vice, the organization reportedly confirmed that Ballard “resigned from O.U.R. on June 22, 2023,” and that “he has permanently separated from O.U.R.”
Further, said the statement, “O.U.R. is dedicated to combatting sexual abuse, and does not tolerate sexual harassment or discrimination by anyone in its organization.”
The group stated it “retained an independent law firm to conduct a comprehensive investigation of all relevant allegations,” but would make no further comment “to preserve the integrity of its investigation and to protect...
- 9/18/2023
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Anti–child trafficking crusader Tim Ballard, who is the basis for “Sound of Freedom” and played by Jim Cavaziel in the hit film, left Operation Underground Railroad earlier this summer following a sexual misconduct investigation, according to Vice news.
According to the report, Ballard enlisted women to accompany him as a “spouse” during secretive overseas operations ostensibly aimed at rescuing victims of sex trafficking. Ballard would then pressure these women into sharing a bed or shower, justifying it as a necessary ruse to deceive traffickers.
Ballard even sent at least one woman a photo of himself in underwear adorned with counterfeit tattoos and asked another how far she was willing to go to help save children.
According to Vice, “The total number of women involved is believed to be higher than seven, as that would only account for employees, not contractors or volunteers.”
In response, an O.U.R. spokesperson...
According to the report, Ballard enlisted women to accompany him as a “spouse” during secretive overseas operations ostensibly aimed at rescuing victims of sex trafficking. Ballard would then pressure these women into sharing a bed or shower, justifying it as a necessary ruse to deceive traffickers.
Ballard even sent at least one woman a photo of himself in underwear adorned with counterfeit tattoos and asked another how far she was willing to go to help save children.
According to Vice, “The total number of women involved is believed to be higher than seven, as that would only account for employees, not contractors or volunteers.”
In response, an O.U.R. spokesperson...
- 9/18/2023
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
The release of Sound of Freedom should’ve been a victory lap for Tim Ballard, founder and former CEO of the anti-trafficking organization Operation Underground Railroad. A fictionalized version of Ballard, played by actor Jim Caviezel, is the protagonist of the film, which depicts him as a crusading avenger for abducted children. The movie — made on a small budget but a runaway hit with conservative audiences this summer — also doubled as a public relations coup for Our, whose supposed real-life trafficking rescue expeditions are highlighted in an epilogue.
But shortly...
But shortly...
- 9/7/2023
- by Miles Klee
- Rollingstone.com
“Sound of Freedom” is the biggest success story of the summer outside of “Barbenheimer,” with $182 million in box office for the child-trafficking thriller — but its director isn’t taking part in the spoils.
Alejandro Gómez Monteverde sold his back-end participation to get the film finished, which means the filmmaker didn’t get rich off the stunning theatrical success.
“Like any independent film, we ran out of money,” Monteverde told TheWrap. “I decided to sell my points to the producers so we could finish the picture.”
“I don’t even want to think about what those points might be worth,” he added.
The movie took a challenging path to the box office. Produced in 2018 by Sentient Entertainment (which also produced “Map to the Stars” and “Taken”), the picture ended up in limbo after initial distributor Fox Latin America was purchased by Disney. Producer Eduardo Verástegui bought back the rights and approached Angel Studios,...
Alejandro Gómez Monteverde sold his back-end participation to get the film finished, which means the filmmaker didn’t get rich off the stunning theatrical success.
“Like any independent film, we ran out of money,” Monteverde told TheWrap. “I decided to sell my points to the producers so we could finish the picture.”
“I don’t even want to think about what those points might be worth,” he added.
The movie took a challenging path to the box office. Produced in 2018 by Sentient Entertainment (which also produced “Map to the Stars” and “Taken”), the picture ended up in limbo after initial distributor Fox Latin America was purchased by Disney. Producer Eduardo Verástegui bought back the rights and approached Angel Studios,...
- 9/6/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Sound of Freedom director Alejandro Monteverde is getting back in business with Utah-based Angel Studios for the release of his latest movie, Cabrini.
Angel Studios, which found box office gold with Sound of Freedom and prides itself on working outside of the Hollywood studio system, will release Cabrini in theaters on March 8, 2024. The drama portrays Francesca Cabrini, a poor Italian immigrant in New York City who overcame the odds to become a major entrepreneur in the 19th century.
“Francesca Cabrini is one of the most inspiring and influential figures in modern history, and yet few know her story. Faced with seemingly insurmountable life obstacles, Cabrini chose instead to focus on how she could change the status quo in her time, and her impact on the world is still felt today,” Liz Ellis, COO of Angel Studios, said in a statement on Tuesday.
Cabrini stars Cristiana Dell’Anna, John Lithgow, David Morse,...
Angel Studios, which found box office gold with Sound of Freedom and prides itself on working outside of the Hollywood studio system, will release Cabrini in theaters on March 8, 2024. The drama portrays Francesca Cabrini, a poor Italian immigrant in New York City who overcame the odds to become a major entrepreneur in the 19th century.
“Francesca Cabrini is one of the most inspiring and influential figures in modern history, and yet few know her story. Faced with seemingly insurmountable life obstacles, Cabrini chose instead to focus on how she could change the status quo in her time, and her impact on the world is still felt today,” Liz Ellis, COO of Angel Studios, said in a statement on Tuesday.
Cabrini stars Cristiana Dell’Anna, John Lithgow, David Morse,...
- 9/5/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Did Netflix actually pass on the controversial Sound of Freedom? Here's the truth.
Sound of Freedom proved to be a surprise box office hit of the summer, breaking major box office records and even taking down Hollywood superhero blockbusters.
The movie tells the story of U.S. agent Tim Ballard's Operation Underground Railroad, an anti-sex trafficking organization. Sound of Freedom became controversial for allegedly painting a sensationalized picture of child trafficking as well as for the political ties of its filmmakers.
Read full article on The Direct.
Sound of Freedom proved to be a surprise box office hit of the summer, breaking major box office records and even taking down Hollywood superhero blockbusters.
The movie tells the story of U.S. agent Tim Ballard's Operation Underground Railroad, an anti-sex trafficking organization. Sound of Freedom became controversial for allegedly painting a sensationalized picture of child trafficking as well as for the political ties of its filmmakers.
Read full article on The Direct.
- 9/2/2023
- by Sam Hargrave
- The Direct
Jim Caviezel stars as the real-life campaigner Tim Ballard in a dull film that has become a US box office sensation
This peculiar film features a notably wooden lead performance from Jim Caviezel, best known for playing Jesus in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. It has become a US box office sensation and an explosive campaign document, a phenomenon similar in its way to the once hugely popular viral video Kony 2012, which demanded the fugitive Ugandan cult leader Joseph Kony be arrested. Sound of Freedom is about child sex trafficking, based on the reminiscences of anti-trafficking activist and campaigner Tim Ballard, and stars Caviezel as Ballard, who quits his job at a toothless US government agency to rescue a young girl from a Colombian sex-trafficking cartel.
All decent people share a fundamental horror and outrage at child sexual abuse. But not everyone will share Caviezel’s QAnon-type...
This peculiar film features a notably wooden lead performance from Jim Caviezel, best known for playing Jesus in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. It has become a US box office sensation and an explosive campaign document, a phenomenon similar in its way to the once hugely popular viral video Kony 2012, which demanded the fugitive Ugandan cult leader Joseph Kony be arrested. Sound of Freedom is about child sex trafficking, based on the reminiscences of anti-trafficking activist and campaigner Tim Ballard, and stars Caviezel as Ballard, who quits his job at a toothless US government agency to rescue a young girl from a Colombian sex-trafficking cartel.
All decent people share a fundamental horror and outrage at child sexual abuse. But not everyone will share Caviezel’s QAnon-type...
- 8/30/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Alejandro Monteverde says film reception ‘heartbreaking’ as lead actor repeats conspiracy theory’s main points
The director of a surprise US box office hit that has been labelled Trump-friendly and “adjacent” to dangerous conspiracy theories has called the reception the film has received “heartbreaking”.
Donald Trump last month held a screening of Sound of Freedom, which tells the story of US federal agent Tim Ballard going on a rescue mission to Mexico to free victims of child trafficking.
The director of a surprise US box office hit that has been labelled Trump-friendly and “adjacent” to dangerous conspiracy theories has called the reception the film has received “heartbreaking”.
Donald Trump last month held a screening of Sound of Freedom, which tells the story of US federal agent Tim Ballard going on a rescue mission to Mexico to free victims of child trafficking.
- 8/29/2023
- by Sammy Gecsoyler
- The Guardian - Film News
No one could have predicted that Sound of Freedom would be one of the summer’s biggest box office smash hits. To put things in perspective, this $15 million indie outgrossed The Flash, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1, and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in North America. Not bad for a movie that was initially dumped by Disney and distributed by a small, faith-based distributor called Angel Studios. Yet, while the success of an independently financed drama should be something that’s celebrated, Sound of Freedom‘s success has proven to be wildly controversial, with its critics slamming the film as being “QAnon adjacent” due to the movie’s star openly embracing many of the conspiracy theory’s beliefs. However, the makers of the movie say it’s apolitical, with the director recently slamming anyone trying to peg it as something it’s not.
That aside, the film’s subject,...
That aside, the film’s subject,...
- 8/28/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
Recently, Sound of Freedom director Alejandro Monteverde teased a potential sequel to the breakout hit of the summer, but making a Sound of Freedom 2 may be easier said than done. While the film has become a massive financial success ($178 million on a $14.5 million budget), Variety is reporting that given the way the film was financed, many parties involved could lay claim to the right to make a sequel, with Monteverde having only secured the right to make one film based on subject Tim Ballard’s life.
Indeed, producer Mike Ilitch Jr. apparently owns Ballard’s life rights, and he could theoretically make his own follow-up to the film. While it’s possible (and maybe even likely) that Illitch (who isn’t listed as a producer on Sound of Freedom) might team up with Monteverde and Angel Studios for a follow-up (as well as star Jim Caviezel), it’s not as...
Indeed, producer Mike Ilitch Jr. apparently owns Ballard’s life rights, and he could theoretically make his own follow-up to the film. While it’s possible (and maybe even likely) that Illitch (who isn’t listed as a producer on Sound of Freedom) might team up with Monteverde and Angel Studios for a follow-up (as well as star Jim Caviezel), it’s not as...
- 8/23/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
In a summer of many misses, “Sound of Freedom” has become a major and unlikely box office hit, making a sequel seem a foregone conclusion. But who exactly holds the rights to tackle a new outing? Well, it’s complicated.
A representative for producer Mike Ilitch Jr. told Variety that her client signed a deal with Tim Ballard, the anti-human trafficking activist who is the subject of the breakout film, “for exclusive life rights” and that the pair recently began developing a follow-up. Ilitch Jr., the son of Mike Ilitch, billionaire owner of Little Caesars Pizza, wasn’t going to stop there. He also planned a scripted series and a docuseries about Ballard’s various missions rescuing children from sexual exploitation.
The “Sound of Freedom” franchise plan also included leveraging an unnamed Ballard nonprofit and other nongovernmental organizations “to provide targeted resources, specific calls to action and further real-life and...
A representative for producer Mike Ilitch Jr. told Variety that her client signed a deal with Tim Ballard, the anti-human trafficking activist who is the subject of the breakout film, “for exclusive life rights” and that the pair recently began developing a follow-up. Ilitch Jr., the son of Mike Ilitch, billionaire owner of Little Caesars Pizza, wasn’t going to stop there. He also planned a scripted series and a docuseries about Ballard’s various missions rescuing children from sexual exploitation.
The “Sound of Freedom” franchise plan also included leveraging an unnamed Ballard nonprofit and other nongovernmental organizations “to provide targeted resources, specific calls to action and further real-life and...
- 8/23/2023
- by Tatiana Siegel
- Variety Film + TV
How did a mid-budget thriller about child trafficking become a box office smash? With a lot of help from conspiracy theorists, the US’s religious right and Donald Trump
It is the movie the “woke Nazis at CNN, the Washington Post and the Guardian” supposedly don’t want you to see, as well as the plucky little indie that has beaten giant franchises such as Mission: Impossible and Indiana Jones at the US box office. But although Sound of Freedom has, as of this weekend, taken nearly $178m (£139m), it is a particularly unlikely “surprise smash hit of the summer”. Had it been released five years ago, as originally intended, this mid-budget thriller might have sunk without trace. Instead, it has struck gold in these politically polarised, conspiracy-theory-addled times, boosted by Donald Trump, Fox News and the religious right, not to mention adherents of the wacko QAnon conspiracy theory. After its triumphant US run,...
It is the movie the “woke Nazis at CNN, the Washington Post and the Guardian” supposedly don’t want you to see, as well as the plucky little indie that has beaten giant franchises such as Mission: Impossible and Indiana Jones at the US box office. But although Sound of Freedom has, as of this weekend, taken nearly $178m (£139m), it is a particularly unlikely “surprise smash hit of the summer”. Had it been released five years ago, as originally intended, this mid-budget thriller might have sunk without trace. Instead, it has struck gold in these politically polarised, conspiracy-theory-addled times, boosted by Donald Trump, Fox News and the religious right, not to mention adherents of the wacko QAnon conspiracy theory. After its triumphant US run,...
- 8/22/2023
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
In a summer filled with shocking disappointments and surprise hits, nothing has been more surprising than the controversial faith-based "Sound of Freedom." Hailing from Angel Studios and starring Jim Caviezel ("Person of Interest"), the film took the industry and exhibitors by surprise when it first hit theaters over the Fourth of July holiday. It has been on a tear ever since. Now, in its sixth weekend and as the summer movie season is winding down, the film has officially become one of the highest-grossing domestic releases of 2023.
"Sound of Freedom" has now amassed $172.84 million domestically, per The Numbers, putting it just above "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" ($172.64 million) to make it the tenth highest-grossing movie at the domestic box office this year. The fact that a movie with next to no mainstream advertising ahead of its release has surpassed an "Indiana Jones" movie from Disney and Lucasfilm in North America is downright shocking.
"Sound of Freedom" has now amassed $172.84 million domestically, per The Numbers, putting it just above "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" ($172.64 million) to make it the tenth highest-grossing movie at the domestic box office this year. The fact that a movie with next to no mainstream advertising ahead of its release has surpassed an "Indiana Jones" movie from Disney and Lucasfilm in North America is downright shocking.
- 8/15/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Alejandro Monteverde speaks out about film’s origins, saying seeing it linked to pedophile conspiracy theory has been ‘heartbreaking’
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The director of child trafficking thriller Sound of Freedom has distanced himself from QAnon believers who have celebrated his film as championing their cause, saying comments made by the film’s star Jim Caviezel “hurt my work”.
Alejandro Monteverde told Variety that he began writing the film in 2015, two years before QAnon formed, after seeing a news segment about child sex trafficking. His film stars Caviezel as Tim Ballard, a real former special agent for the Department of Homeland Security who investigated sex crimes against children.
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The director of child trafficking thriller Sound of Freedom has distanced himself from QAnon believers who have celebrated his film as championing their cause, saying comments made by the film’s star Jim Caviezel “hurt my work”.
Alejandro Monteverde told Variety that he began writing the film in 2015, two years before QAnon formed, after seeing a news segment about child sex trafficking. His film stars Caviezel as Tim Ballard, a real former special agent for the Department of Homeland Security who investigated sex crimes against children.
Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning...
- 8/15/2023
- by Sian Cain
- The Guardian - Film News
More than a month after his indie thriller Sound of Freedom premiered in theaters, setting off waves of hype, criticism, and conspiracy theories, director Alejandro Monteverde has weighed in on the film’s runaway success and defended its portrayal of child sex trafficking. Organizations leading the fight against human trafficking have blasted the drama as sensationalized, irresponsible take on the problem that does a disservice to victims. Meanwhile, it has energized right-wing culture warriors, especially of the QAnon variety, who have used the movie to continue pushing a moral panic...
- 8/14/2023
- by Miles Klee
- Rollingstone.com
The “Sound of Freedom” co-writers are sounding the alarm on child trafficking, and refuting that the film is a right-leaning “faith-based” feature.
“Sound of Freedom” director/writer Alejandro Monteverde and co-writer Rob Barr penned an op-ed for The Hollywood Reporter addressing the QAnon conspiracy theories surrounding the Jim Caviezel-starring film, which is based on real-life child trafficking rings.
“It has been difficult to watch controversy and partisanship distract, even a little, from the deep intention of our work: to use the power of film to bring awareness to the reality of child trafficking,” their piece read. “Way back in 2015, when we began researching and writing this project, we told each other many times, ‘If there’s one issue that can unite everyone, it’s ending child trafficking.’ We still believe that.”
They continued, “Child trafficking is not a conservative or a liberal issue. It is a fundamental human rights issue,...
“Sound of Freedom” director/writer Alejandro Monteverde and co-writer Rob Barr penned an op-ed for The Hollywood Reporter addressing the QAnon conspiracy theories surrounding the Jim Caviezel-starring film, which is based on real-life child trafficking rings.
“It has been difficult to watch controversy and partisanship distract, even a little, from the deep intention of our work: to use the power of film to bring awareness to the reality of child trafficking,” their piece read. “Way back in 2015, when we began researching and writing this project, we told each other many times, ‘If there’s one issue that can unite everyone, it’s ending child trafficking.’ We still believe that.”
They continued, “Child trafficking is not a conservative or a liberal issue. It is a fundamental human rights issue,...
- 8/14/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
With $172 million and counting, Angel Studios’ “Sound of Freedom” has become the most successful independent film the U.S. box office has seen in the past decade, and has been championed by conservatives across the country, including former president Donald Trump.
But the film’s director, Alejandro Monteverde, doesn’t see the film’s resonance with audiences purely along political lines. In a wide-ranging interview with the Los Angeles Times, he argued that for a movie like his to have such incredible success without the support of a top Hollywood studio, it needs to attract more than just staunch Republicans to theaters.
“You cannot arrive too close to $200 million [at the box office] with just a conservative market. You know what movies make that are faith-based? Like $80 million. But you don’t get to $200 million if you don’t cross over and become a bipartisan film,” Monteverde said.
As TheWrap reported last month, “Sound of Freedom...
But the film’s director, Alejandro Monteverde, doesn’t see the film’s resonance with audiences purely along political lines. In a wide-ranging interview with the Los Angeles Times, he argued that for a movie like his to have such incredible success without the support of a top Hollywood studio, it needs to attract more than just staunch Republicans to theaters.
“You cannot arrive too close to $200 million [at the box office] with just a conservative market. You know what movies make that are faith-based? Like $80 million. But you don’t get to $200 million if you don’t cross over and become a bipartisan film,” Monteverde said.
As TheWrap reported last month, “Sound of Freedom...
- 8/14/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Sound of Freedom is due to make its debut in international markets later this month. This will continue its run as a surprise hit of the summer after having a seemingly under the radar release, then putting up box office numbers that rivaled that of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The movie gained notoriety for its sudden success and for the reputation of being associated with the politically controversial group, Q-anon. The director, Alejandro Monteverde, had been working on the film since 2015, and since its success, even with its subject matter, the director doesn’t rule out the possibilities of exploring further with a continuation.
Recently, Monteverde, spoke with Variety where he talks about interest in doing a Sound of Freedom sequel, “There’s definitely a lot of interest to exploring [the subject] a little deeper, because this is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a lot of...
Recently, Monteverde, spoke with Variety where he talks about interest in doing a Sound of Freedom sequel, “There’s definitely a lot of interest to exploring [the subject] a little deeper, because this is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s a lot of...
- 8/14/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Despite its status as the highest-grossing indie film since 2019’s “Parasite,” “Sound of Freedom” has been dismissed as a QAnon fever dream by large swaths of the mainstream media. But that derisive label is “so ridiculous” to the film’s writer-director Alejandro Monteverde, who began working on the project in 2015, two years before QAnon emerged.
“The origin [of the film] has been avoided, purposely or accidentally, in the media,” Monteverde said. “The origin will answer a lot of these misconceptions on the film.”
Back in 2015, the Mexico-born, L.A.-based Monteverde says he was unaware of the scourge of child sex trafficking until he watched a network news segment on the subject. What he learned “shook my soul because I didn’t really believe it [existed],” he says. “I just, in my head, could not put those two pieces together — an adult and a child.”
That night, he couldn’t sleep. So, the next morning,...
“The origin [of the film] has been avoided, purposely or accidentally, in the media,” Monteverde said. “The origin will answer a lot of these misconceptions on the film.”
Back in 2015, the Mexico-born, L.A.-based Monteverde says he was unaware of the scourge of child sex trafficking until he watched a network news segment on the subject. What he learned “shook my soul because I didn’t really believe it [existed],” he says. “I just, in my head, could not put those two pieces together — an adult and a child.”
That night, he couldn’t sleep. So, the next morning,...
- 8/14/2023
- by Tatiana Siegel
- Variety Film + TV
As co-writers and director of the movie Sound of Freedom, it has been difficult to watch controversy and partisanship distract, even a little, from the deep intention of our work: to use the power of film to bring awareness to the reality of child trafficking.
Way back in 2015, when we began researching and writing this project, we told each other many times, “If there’s one issue that can unite everyone, it’s ending child trafficking.” We still believe that. Child trafficking is not a conservative or a liberal issue. It is a fundamental human rights issue, one that strikes at our very core as human beings.
It is also a very difficult subject, and it is profoundly heartening that millions of people have gone to theaters to watch a movie about it. It is equally heartening that this audience spans the political spectrum.
A July 31 article in Newsweek reports:...
Way back in 2015, when we began researching and writing this project, we told each other many times, “If there’s one issue that can unite everyone, it’s ending child trafficking.” We still believe that. Child trafficking is not a conservative or a liberal issue. It is a fundamental human rights issue, one that strikes at our very core as human beings.
It is also a very difficult subject, and it is profoundly heartening that millions of people have gone to theaters to watch a movie about it. It is equally heartening that this audience spans the political spectrum.
A July 31 article in Newsweek reports:...
- 8/14/2023
- by Alejandro Monteverde and Rod Barr
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In recent weeks, as a firestorm of chatter — and questions — surrounding Angel Studios’ Sound of Freedom spread, Hollywood scrambled to understand how tiny indie movie seemingly emerged from nowhere to become the sleeper hit of the summer box office.
One major legacy movie studio was so interested in the topic that it commissioned a survey of social media discourse and audience reaction. “Overall, the online consumer response to Sound of Freedom has been less about the movie itself and more rooted in conspiracy theories and ongoing political/culture wars within the United States and the globe at large,” says the summary, which a source shared with The Hollywood Reporter but who did not want their studio to be identified.
Among other conclusions: Right-leaning audiences dismiss criticisms of the movie from the left and mainstream press as the thoughts of “pedophiles, satanists and other malicious parties,” while left-leaning audiences found the...
One major legacy movie studio was so interested in the topic that it commissioned a survey of social media discourse and audience reaction. “Overall, the online consumer response to Sound of Freedom has been less about the movie itself and more rooted in conspiracy theories and ongoing political/culture wars within the United States and the globe at large,” says the summary, which a source shared with The Hollywood Reporter but who did not want their studio to be identified.
Among other conclusions: Right-leaning audiences dismiss criticisms of the movie from the left and mainstream press as the thoughts of “pedophiles, satanists and other malicious parties,” while left-leaning audiences found the...
- 8/8/2023
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: There was a lot of noise surrounding the red state-beloved, $163M-grossing summer surprise hit, Sound of Freedom, this morning with Newsweek reporting that one of the pic’s 6,678 crowdfunders was arrested for child kidnapping by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police.
Now just to be clear, we’re talking one person who contributed an unidentified amount of money to the $5M P&a crowdfunding campaign put together by Angel Studios. The person charged, 51-year-old Fabian Marta of Chesterfield, Missouri on July 23, was not a financier of the actual feature production. Deadline confirmed the arrest with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police per Case # 2322-CR01608.
Note child kidnapping and sex trafficking, the latter subject which Sound of Freedom focuses on, are two different types of crimes.
Angel Studios has no knowledge of the background of its crowdfunders,...
Now just to be clear, we’re talking one person who contributed an unidentified amount of money to the $5M P&a crowdfunding campaign put together by Angel Studios. The person charged, 51-year-old Fabian Marta of Chesterfield, Missouri on July 23, was not a financier of the actual feature production. Deadline confirmed the arrest with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police per Case # 2322-CR01608.
Note child kidnapping and sex trafficking, the latter subject which Sound of Freedom focuses on, are two different types of crimes.
Angel Studios has no knowledge of the background of its crowdfunders,...
- 8/4/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Sound of Freedom’ Studio ‘Grateful to Law Enforcement’ After a Funder Arrested for Child Kidnapping
Angel Studios has responded to the arrest of “Sound of Freedom” investor Fabian Marta on charges of child kidnapping. Marta was charged with felony child kidnapping in July. Released by Angel Studios, “Sound of Freedom” tells of an anti-child sex trafficking organization. The film is centered on Operation Underground Railroad founder Tim Ballard who is played in the film by “Passion of the Christ” star Jim Caviezel.
“Angel Studios adhered to the requirements of federal and state laws and regulations in allowing 6,678 people to invest an average of $501 each into the launch of ‘Sound of Freedom,'” Angel Studios CEO Neal Harmon states. “Just as anyone can invest in the stock market, everyone who meets the legal criteria can invest in Angel Studios projects. One of the perks of investing was the ability to be listed in the credits.”
The statement continues, “We’re grateful to brave law enforcement officials...
“Angel Studios adhered to the requirements of federal and state laws and regulations in allowing 6,678 people to invest an average of $501 each into the launch of ‘Sound of Freedom,'” Angel Studios CEO Neal Harmon states. “Just as anyone can invest in the stock market, everyone who meets the legal criteria can invest in Angel Studios projects. One of the perks of investing was the ability to be listed in the credits.”
The statement continues, “We’re grateful to brave law enforcement officials...
- 8/4/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
It's been a bit of a mixed summer at the box office. We've had insanely high highs, as we did recently with the much-hyped showdown between "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer," but we've also had incredibly low lows, such as "The Flash" crashing and burning in brutal fashion after years of being stuck in development hell. Amidst all of this, one film that hardly registered in the mainstream consciousness prior to its release has managed to become the surprise success story of the year.
The faith-based "Sound of Freedom," released earlier this month by Angel Studios, has been on an absolute tear and stands a real shot at becoming one of the 10 biggest domestic earners at the box office in 2023. An international release is pending as well. That, on paper, is great for theaters. But the film has raised a great many questions in the aftermath of its blindsiding success. From links...
The faith-based "Sound of Freedom," released earlier this month by Angel Studios, has been on an absolute tear and stands a real shot at becoming one of the 10 biggest domestic earners at the box office in 2023. An international release is pending as well. That, on paper, is great for theaters. But the film has raised a great many questions in the aftermath of its blindsiding success. From links...
- 7/28/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
The Jim Caviezel film Sound of Freedom made a splash at the box office after seemingly coming out of nowhere. However, it had a bumpy road to release after its initial producers, 20th Century Fox, had been acquired by Disney, and the film would wait to be unveiled after crowdfunding gave it a new life. Sound of Freedom is one of the notable films of the summer as it rose out of obscurity to garner around $130 million in its domestic run while hoping to bring awareness to a heavy subject akin to movies like Taken, Skin Trade, and the Academy Award-winning Spotlight.
The film’s distributor, Angel Studios, has recently announced their plans to expand their screenings into worldwide markets. According to The Hollywood Reporter, on Wednesday, the studio “announced release dates for 21 markets, including the U.K., Australia, Spain, South Africa and a host of countries in Latin America.
The film’s distributor, Angel Studios, has recently announced their plans to expand their screenings into worldwide markets. According to The Hollywood Reporter, on Wednesday, the studio “announced release dates for 21 markets, including the U.K., Australia, Spain, South Africa and a host of countries in Latin America.
- 7/27/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
The faith-based political thriller Sound of Freedom is headed for cinemas overseas.
Angel Studios on Wednesday announced release dates for 21 markets, including the U.K., Australia, Spain, South Africa and a host of countries in Latin America. It begins its foreign run next month. At the U.S. box office, the movie crossed the $100 million mark July 19, a little over two weeks after its release July 4. And it finished Tuesday of this week with a cume north of $130 million.
The Utah-based Angel Studios, which prides itself on working outside of the Hollywood studio system, offers a unique “pay it forward” option whereby consumers can donate tickets. Sound of Freedom has stayed high up on the domestic chart since its debut, and is even outpacing Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, which launched July 12 and finished Tuesday with a North American total of $124.2 million.
Directed and written by Alejandro Monteverde,...
Angel Studios on Wednesday announced release dates for 21 markets, including the U.K., Australia, Spain, South Africa and a host of countries in Latin America. It begins its foreign run next month. At the U.S. box office, the movie crossed the $100 million mark July 19, a little over two weeks after its release July 4. And it finished Tuesday of this week with a cume north of $130 million.
The Utah-based Angel Studios, which prides itself on working outside of the Hollywood studio system, offers a unique “pay it forward” option whereby consumers can donate tickets. Sound of Freedom has stayed high up on the domestic chart since its debut, and is even outpacing Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, which launched July 12 and finished Tuesday with a North American total of $124.2 million.
Directed and written by Alejandro Monteverde,...
- 7/26/2023
- by Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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