“Sound of Freedom” Screened by Trump as the Film Takes American Conservative Community by Storm
Edited by: TJVNews.com
“Sound of Freedom,” a movie based on real-life events, has taken the American conservative community by storm, with prominent figures like Senator Tim Scott, Senator Ted Cruz, and former President Donald J. Trump praising its impact, the New York Times recently reported. The film, released on July 4, has achieved remarkable success at the box office, grossing $90.7 million as of Monday, ranking second only to “Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning” in North America. The NYT also reported that its themes of child rescue and combating human trafficking have resonated strongly with various conservative groups, but it has also sparked controversy due to its association with QAnon.
The movie revolves around the true story of Tim Ballard, portrayed by Jim Caviezel, a former federal agent determined to save South American children from the clutches of sex traffickers. The NYT report indicated that the film’s appeal has reached a wide spectrum of conservatives, including mainstream Republicans advocating for children’s issues, evangelicals drawn to its religious undertones, and far-right QAnon followers.
The endorsement of the movie by presidential candidates reflects the increasing concern for child protection in an age where young people are exposed to sexualization. While the movie’s political messaging has captivated some conservative voters, it also raises concerns about the potential consequences of human trafficking.
The candidates that have endorsed the movie echo grass-roots energy around what Sarah Longwell, a Republican strategist, called the “mainstreaming of the center of the QAnon movement, which is that this is about protecting children,” the NYT reported.
In focus groups, Longwell said, Republican voters have brought up QAnon less explicitly than in the past and more frequently express concerns about schools “indoctrinating children” and transgender athletes competing in sports.
The NYT report also claimed that experts on misinformation, such as Kathryn Olmsted from the University of California, Davis, acknowledge that human trafficking is a real problem but caution against overly politicizing the issue. The central figure of the film, Tim Ballard, has faced accusations of embellishing his exploits, and some critics argue that the movie’s focus on saviors rather than victims creates an incomplete and glamorized portrayal of human trafficking, as was reported by the NYT.
Despite these criticisms, “Sound of Freedom” has garnered praise from politicians, commentators, and Hollywood celebrities alike. Even Ivanka Trump, who has mostly remained out of politics since the 2020 election, took to Twitter to promote the film, acknowledging its portrayal of the harrowing reality of human trafficking, according to the NYT.
While the film has undoubtedly ignited discussions about child trafficking, it has also led to claims by some politicians, such as Senate Republicans who have accused President Biden of creating the “largest child trafficking ring in U.S. history.” The NYT reported that this alleged oversimplification and politicization can obscure the complexities of the issue and detract from genuine efforts to address and combat human trafficking.
In some liberal circles, moviegoers expressed their interest in “Sound of Freedom” solely for its gripping storyline, unrelated to its political endorsements. The NYT reported that Malaika Villamizar, a viewer in Manhattan, highlighted the importance of shedding light on child trafficking, showing that concern for the issue transcends political boundaries.
“I came because I believe that there’s child trafficking going on and there’s just not enough light being shed on it,” said Villamizar, 19, according to the NYT report.
As the movie continues to stir emotions and spark discussions across the nation, it remains to be seen how its message will influence the broader conversation about child exploitation and the fight against human trafficking.