Most of the time we go to the movies to be amused, terrified, enchanted, cheered, or made to laugh. Some we even see more than once as tradition or a family favorite.
But there exist rare films which, despite artistic cinematography, intriguing plot, skillful acting, beautiful music or clever dialogue, are difficult to watch … even once. These are the movies during which one does not crave popcorn, munch candy or chat about afterwards with casual banter, but leave from quietly and thoughtfully, with respect for the dignity the story deserves. These are the movies we may not WANT to watch but we must. The Passion of the Christ, Schindler’s List, the first 15 minutes of Saving Private Ryan, and Unplanned all come immediately to mind.
Sound of Freedom is one of these determinative films which, like all powerful literature, will change your life and impact your soul. Sound of Freedom documents the abomination of child sex trafficking, as seen through the eyes of a courageous FBI agent, Tim Ballard, willing to sacrifice everything – his career, his safety, his own freedom, and his life – in the search for a single child.
There is nothing graphic shown, but imagination has its own tortures as we, familiar with the depredations of this generation, know what it means to see the desperate resigned fear of the victim children, the expressions of soul crushing horror on the faces of veteran FBI agents forced to review evidence that haunts their nightmares, and understand the evil behind the curtains drawn by the degraded perverts who buy these innocents.
One might consider – if there are millions of children sunk into this deepest pit of Hell, why would Ballard risk everything to seek this one child? I am brought to mind of the parable of the starfish. After a great storm thousands of starfish were washed up on the beach, dying. A child went out to throw them back into the ocean one by one. When asked what possible difference his efforts could make by saving only a few out of these countless numbers, the child replied as he threw one more into the water, “I made a difference to this one.”
We are called to witness and be aware. Much like efforts at abortion clinics, where millions prayed for 50 years to overturn the horrendous miscarriage of justice that was Roe v Wade before the back of that beast was broken, we first must recognize the existence of the evil.
It is interesting that media moguls and entertainment behemoths have tried to diminish and trivialize this movie: Disney tried to shelve it, Washington Post, CNN and Rolling Stone, among others have attempted to deny the credibility of the issue by accusing the creators of being conspiracy theorists using “bogus statistics” and “moral panic” (whatever THAT is).
First, there is no way to over alert the public about even ONE child being kidnapped and sold for sexual torture, much less millions. Second, I wonder why the wealthy and powerful leftist elitists are pushing an agenda to give aid and comfort to pedophiles. A sexual attack on a child leaves scars as permanent as a severed limb. And there is no punishment severe enough to mitigate the damage these degenerates wreak upon innocent lives and their families.
But before we can even begin to combat evil we must recognize it is there. Be a witness. Go see Sound of Freedom.
(Note: Please do not bring children or sensitive older teens, and hesitate before bringing new mothers.)