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Why 'Sound of Freedom,' Jim Caviezel's controversial child sex trafficking film, is a hit

Discussion in 'Too Hot for Swamp Gas' started by flgator2, Jul 12, 2023.

  1. flgator2

    flgator2 GC Hall of Fame

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    'Sound of Freedom,' movie on child sex trafficking, is an unlikely hit (usatoday.com)

    The outside-of-Hollywood entry in the summer sweepstakes about a federal agent tackling child sex trafficking took in $19.7 million last weekend, according to Box Office Mojo. That makes "Freedom" the third most-popular movie in the country, behind top-grossing "Insidious: The Red Door" (which debuted with $33 million) and "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" ($27.4 million in its second weekend). The movie, which also stars Bill Camp and Mira Sorvino, has earned $45.7 million domestically since its release July 4.

    But "Sound of Freedom" already is as much a political football as it is an unlikely cinematic success. The film is generating buzz among conservatives and liberals not so much for its content − both ideologies agree child sex trafficking is the height of immorality − but for comments made by its star. Fans say the movie speaks to an audience underserved by Hollywood; critics contend it's a recruiting tool for the far right.


    "Sound of Freedom" draws upon the real life of Tim Ballard, a U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent who is credited with saving countless children, largely from outside the U.S., from traffickers who force them into prostitution rings aimed at pedophiles.

    In 2013, Ballard started the non-profit group Operation Underground Railroad, which according to its website, "directly responds to international government requests to develop intelligence and assist to carry out rescue efforts." In 2020, Vice News published reports critical of the organization.

    What a great movie, really opens your eyes to sex trafficking. I highly recommend seeing this movie
     
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  2. 92gator

    92gator GC Hall of Fame

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    Surprising performance for such a serious documentary film, especially during the block buster summer season.

    I'm interested in the movie, but don't feel inclined to spend theater money for what has to be (I would guess) a disturbing, depressing experience.
     
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  3. Gatorrick22

    Gatorrick22 GC Hall of Fame

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    I'll bet it's very close to "home" for many Hollywood types... especially the ones on the list of visitors to Jeffrey Epstein's Island.

    I've read all about this movie but have yet to see it... but it's getting great reviews from the people that have seen it, so it must be at least well made.

    I don't get the hate for it by CNN and other networks.
     
    Last edited: Jul 13, 2023
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  4. flgator2

    flgator2 GC Hall of Fame

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    It's actually a true story, it was worth the money
     
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  5. rivergator

    rivergator Too Hot Mod Moderator VIP Member

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    I don’t think it’s a documentary
     
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  6. channingcrowderhungry

    channingcrowderhungry Premium Member

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    There's a walking overpass in Jax that goes over i95. There's usually a guy up there and he always has weird Qanon signs and stuff. I drove by on Sunday and he had a big sign promoting this movie. So knowing nothing about this movie other than this thread and Qanon overpass sign guy, I can safely say this movie isn't for me. I can also safely assume it's some weird right wing zeitgeist stuff.
     
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  7. phatGator

    phatGator GC Hall of Fame

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    I was thinking of starting a thread on this, so thank you for doing it. Great movie and I think very important for people to see to become aware of what’s going on.
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2023
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  8. exiledgator

    exiledgator Gruntled

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    It's based on a true story.

    The story: There was a guy. Sex trafficking exists.

    The rest is made up
     
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  9. ridgetop

    ridgetop GC Hall of Fame

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    I had a friend see and told me about it… it’s brutal from the very start. And yea, apparently based on a true story.
    The stats on how many kids are used/sold/kidnapped/trafficked is absolutely sickening..
     
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  10. rivergator

    rivergator Too Hot Mod Moderator VIP Member

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    Nothing wrong with that
     
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  11. phatGator

    phatGator GC Hall of Fame

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    I saw the movie this week. It’s not a documentary. It’s a drama action film based on the true story.

    My wife and I were both surprised that we did not come out depressed. We came out aware of the magnitude of a problem, but also hopeful that there are people making a difference.

    What was astounding is when they said there are more people in slavery today around the world that at any time in history, even including when slavery was legal. The US is the biggest market for sex trafficking. That was sobering.
     
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  12. phatGator

    phatGator GC Hall of Fame

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    Careful of the genetic fallacy. The truth of something is not determined by who is saying it. Consider this. If the QAnon guy was promoting the movie, then he was not promoting some wackadoodle idea.

    There was nothing political in this movie at all. They didn’t slam liberals, they didn’t praise conservatives. It’s focused on the tale of two children kidnapped for sex trafficking. It was also eye-opening how easy these people snatch kids, especially in Central America.

    There are also uplifting times for the movie too. A thoughtful person like you ought to see it. :)
     
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  13. channingcrowderhungry

    channingcrowderhungry Premium Member

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    If the Qanon guy on the pedestrian overpass was promoting this movie then there's clearly some far right-wing latching on to this movie for whatever reason. I'm not saying the movie is bad, I'm sure it's fine. But if it's about sex trafficking, and all of sudden right wing people are all about it, there's clearly more at play here. I'm sure it has to do with pizza gate type stuff and Qanon whackos thinking the govt exists to protect pedophiles, or whatever it is they believe

    I'll Google this movie and Qanon and let you know why all of a sudden right wingers are promoting it. It won't be a coincidence, I promise.
     
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  14. swampbabe

    swampbabe GC Hall of Fame

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    See post #3
     
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  15. phatGator

    phatGator GC Hall of Fame

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    What do you mean by that? From what I’ve read the movie tracks very closely to the true story. In fact, in some cases, it undersells the true story.
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2023
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  16. dangolegators

    dangolegators GC Hall of Fame

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    The star of the movie, Jim Caviezel, is a QAanon nut.
     
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  17. channingcrowderhungry

    channingcrowderhungry Premium Member

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    I scroll past those posts. Have for years.
     
  18. phatGator

    phatGator GC Hall of Fame

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    I’m not saying that some Qanon wackos might not latch onto this and somehow think it supports their ideas. But that’s irrelevant. There is no basis in the movie for them to latch onto it. It is purely their fevered imagination.

    The movie is about a real story that is inspiring as well as enlightening.
     
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  19. channingcrowderhungry

    channingcrowderhungry Premium Member

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    Yeah, that's what I was just reading about. His press tour has been going on right wing shows and promoting Qanon stuff. That explains the right wing infatuation and the pedestrian overpass sign guy. We can't have nice things.
     
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  20. swampbabe

    swampbabe GC Hall of Fame

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    Smart man
     
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