Inspired by a true story, the film “Sound of freedom” draws us into the tragic reality of child sex trafficking, sending a powerful message not to ignore the suffering of others, especially the vulnerable and defenceless.

Tim makes the choice not to turn away, finding it impossible for his heart to remain indifferent to the plight of others.  He takes on their cause, putting his private life, loving and comfortable, on hold and his own life in grave danger.

Tim is a police officer in Homeland Security the US Department for National Security; he has a loving wife and two wonderful children.  His work encompasses one of the most heinous crimes that human beings are capable of: pedophilia.  He has seen many cases and arrested many criminals, costing him great sacrifice, including the frustration of never having succeeded in giving a young victim his life back.

When he becomes involved in the story of a young Honduran boy named Miguel – the first one he is able to save and reunite with his father after a long and difficult investigation – he discovers that the boy’s sister, Rocio, has also been abducted by a criminal organisation as a sex slave. The bond that has formed between Miguel and Tim, impels the Tim to go back and look for her.  He perseveres even when all financial support is withdrawn.

Remaining in Cartagena, Colombia, and supported by others, in the fight against evil, he embarks on the long and dangerous road that ultimately leads him to a remote zone in the Amazon Forest where the revolutionary forces are camped and where little Rocio is held prisoner.  His faith gives him the heroic courage to rescue her.  The drama unfolds in the true style of a Christian thriller, but behind one man’s fearless and valiant fight, there is the universal human act of restoring peace to two little innocent children (symbol of all the children of the world) as far as is possible after the ordeal they have suffered; giving them back their dreams and affections, the happiness of childhood. Safeguarding the happiness of this precious season of life, is the moral duty of every adult, as the example of Tim’s profound paternal spirit reminds us.

The ‘Sound of Freedom’, is inspired by the true story of Tim Ballard, played by the excellent Jim Caviezel (Jesus in ‘The Passion’) Launched last July on the American independent network it achieved huge box office success.  Directed by Alejandro Monteverde and produced by Mel Gibson himself, the filming took place in 2018 but after a very long and complex distribution process, the rights were passed to Angel Studios (of ‘The Chosen’) who launched it to the general public by word of mouth and social media. It was first screened in Italy on February 19th, 2024.

Despite reaching our cinemas only recently, in the form of a thriller, the film boldly denounces this crime rapidly escalating on a global scale, letting us experience its horrors yet (wisely) without explicit scenes of violence and bloodshed. Despite a few moments of less convincing narrative, ‘The Sound of Freedom’ shows us people prepared to fight, to leave their comfort zone to defend the most vulnerable, going to any lengths to obstruct the force of evil, which on a more universal level, alongside its more specific theme, makes films like “Sound of freedom” so worthwhile.