There are some doubts that actor Jim Caviezel would like to clear about his latest film, Sound of Freedom. Released on July 4, 2023, in the United States, the movie narrates the story of a former U.S. government agent, Tim Ballard, who is on a mission to rescue children from s-x traffickers in Colombia.
The movie received mixed reviews from the audience, however, it was successful at the global box office. At the time of its release, Caviezel decided to clear out some doubts regarding the content of the movie. The actor explained that the audience saw it from the wrong perspective.
Jim Caviezel says the audience formed the wrong idea about his latest movie
In July, actor Jim Caviezel appeared for an interview with Jordan Peterson. During the interview, the actor explained how people misinterpreted his latest film, Sound of Freedom,
“We had a lot of resistance, it took us four years to get where we’re at right now. You know, like the Passion of The Christ, nobody saw that as a financially feasible film, same thing with this, who’s gonna wanna watch a film about trafficked children? That’s why it wasn’t about that, it points in that direction but it’s really in the face of evil, can good still triumph? and that’s what this film is. So, it’s quite inspirational.”
The film is based on the work of Tim Ballard, the founder of Operation Underground Railroad, or O.U.R., an anti-trafficking non-profit. Ballard specifically wanted Jim Caviezel to play him in the film because he liked Caviezel’s performance in The Count of Monte Cristo (2002).
An investor in the film was arrested for child kidnapping
In a strange turn of events, one of the film’s investors listed in the film’s credits, a man named Fabian Marta, was arrested by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police on felony child kidnapping charges earlier this month.
Angel Studios didn’t respond to the arrest, however, the studios revealed that over 6000 people invested an average of $501 each into the launch of Sound of Freedom. The film got mixed reviews from the audience as well as the critics. The film was completed in 2018 but was shelved when the studio was purchased by the Walt Disney Company.
The role impacted Jim Caviezel’s life
Later in the Jordan B. Peterson podcast, Jim Caviezel was asked if the film’s material changed him, and the actor explained the role’s impact on his life,
“I’d give my life in a heartbeat. Changed me? I’m less concerned about myself. I will tell you this right now, I would absolutely die. If this were to change the world and get rid of trafficking and p*rnography and all of the eight arms of this octopus that has to be destroyed, the only way you can destroy it is to take the head out, if that hit, I’d give my life for it in a heartbeat.”
The film, which was released in the United States on 4th July 2023, grossed over $174 million on a production budget of $14 million, earning the title of a “sleeper hit.”
Source: The Dr. Jordan B. Peterson Podcast