The Sound of Freedom was the number one movie when it released in America on the 4th July.
Angel Studios decided on that date as it’s the day American’s celebrate their independence from Britain. A day when they say no to tyranny. A day when they reaffirm that we are all created equal by God with unalienable rights.
In case you haven’t heard about which is possible I discovered tonight while chatting to a friend it’s a movie about human trafficking. It’s based on events that actually happened and sadly the problems the movie highlights still happen today.
Although it was only recently released it isn’t a new movie. It’s sat completed for years not being released. Disney was the last to own the rights to it they could have released it, as could have Fox Studios before they were acquired by Disney.
TV stations like CBS covered the story the movie is based on when it happened back in 2014. Tim Ballard was a hero then, saving children from being raped every day was a good thing. Fast forward to 2023 and media outlets like Rolling Stone, The Guardian, and the Washington Post are reporting on the movie using phrases like, “designed to appeal to the conscience of a conspiracy addled boomer”, “the Qanon tinged thriller” and “a movie for dads with brain worms”.
If you can stomach watching it, do you identity as any of those slurs? If you haven’t had the opportunity to watch it yet there are a plethora of recent interviews from those involved with the movie. There are also many interviews and documentaries online sharing more of Tim Ballards story and the plight too many children around the world face. Gaining a better understanding of this issue is at your fingertips.
I’ve seen multiple tweets recently of people sharing their own stories. Tim’s story may have been made into a movie but the story behind the movie continues today. Children around the world are bought and sold every day for rape or forced labour. If you’ve been to afraid for any reason, up until now, why not use the release of this movie to start a discussion with your community.
How many of your family and friends have you asked if they have seen the movie?
Talking about it won’t instantly set 2 million children around the world free. But the reason it’s grown to a multi billion dollar industry is because we have been too quiet for too long. It costs nothing to share online or in person about the movie or the true story it’s based on. The movie only focuses on the children they rescued in that one operation. Tim Ballard has been instrumental in saving thousands. Through his organisation Operation Underground Railroad they report having helped thousands both directly, and by partnering with others who are also doing what they can to save these children.
After watching The Sound of Freedom I watched the documentary Operation Toussaint by DNA Films. I found it even harder to watch than the movie. I knew the movie to be based on a real story but the documentary felt more raw. We all connect to different media in different ways which is one of the reasons I am writing this article. For those who connect with a 5 minute read I pray my words help equip you to help others.
You have the power to influence conversations. You have the power to influence those that govern us. You may think you need more money to influence politics but this belief only keeps the majority silent. You can make a difference, but not if you stay silent.
It’s time we all declare loudly that God’s children are not for sale until we no longer have to.
3 of Neville’s most read articles from 2023:
◦ Are you a Christian or a coward?◦ What is a soul worth?
◦ Are you awake and alive to truth?
Neville Hiatt was the 2020 Press Services International Tronson Senior Writers Award Winner for Australia. His previous posts for can be read here.
He spent a decade working for Radio Stations before his career was intermissioned by someone in a hurry to get home from work. For more of his award winning creativity visit http://nevillehiatt.com.
He also blogs for http://altcoincollege.com/covering the way cryptocurrencies and blockchain are changing our world.
