Soulless demons walk among us
Directed by: Alejandro Monteverde
Written by: Rod Barr, Alejandro Monteverde
Cast: Jim Caviezel, Lucás Ávila, Cristal Aparicio, Bill Camp, Mira Sorvino
Swift shot: There is nothing controversial about this movie; the only controversy is how we let it get this bad in our time. Hollywood has always had an “open secret” for how to achieve success, and we shrugged it off as consenting adults selling themselves for fame and fortune. Then the #MeToo movement came along, and women took a stand against the “casting couch.” Sound of Freedom was originally set to come out in 2018, right at the height of that movement . . . but it was shelved. It’s not a conspiracy to ask yourselves, why?
Not only was this movie powerful, it was incredibly well-crafted and shot. The acting is worthy of the Academy, and these two kids each deserve one! I will go even further in saying Sound of Freedom merits multiple nominations.
I dread writing this review, because I don’t think I can do the movie any justice. Justice has become a funny word in our time, and many times watching this movie, I kept saying to myself, “This is why I am not a cop.” Over and over again, the helplessness of what is happening on this planet is pervasive and disgusting. And we have got to do something about it! I don’t believe in the law, I believe in justice. If you think there isn’t a difference, you’re wrong.
From the opening shot, we see a little girl alone in her room in Honduras drumming away. And then there is a knock on the door, and her life will never be the same. Hollywood enters in the guise of the beautiful Giselle (Yessica Borroto Perryman) who is ready to help the little girl “discover her dreams.” Or at least, that is what she and her father and brother think as they are invited to a talent audition. Once that door closes, their fates are all sealed.
Now we are in California, as some sleazy trafficker prepares to upload images of his “fresh chicken” to the dark web. As his images and videos are uploaded, Homeland Security agents led by Tim Ballard (Caviezel) quietly enter his place and take him down.
A job well done, now Tim can feel he’s made a difference. But, his partner asks him one question that really sets up the whole movie. He’s busted a ton of pedophiles, but he hasn’t actually saved even one kid. From there, Tim is on a mission to save as many kids as humanly possible. But, that’s the problem, most of these kids end up overseas and out of his jurisdiction. The law can only go so far.
Tim convinces his boss to let him adjust their sights to not only bust the criminals but to infiltrate them to free the poor kids captured by the monsters. And in so doing, Tim meets little Miguel (Ávila) and learns about the horrors he has endured. I can’t overstate how incredible this kid’s performance is. He will break your heart into a million pieces. And you will want him to stop telling his story, because it is just too terrible.
But what is worse is what happened to his sister, Rocío (Aparicio). Nobody knows where she is, or at least nobody with a soul knows!
See, that’s the thing in this movie, they show how many people definitely see these kids being trafficked. As the FBI likes to say, “Crime doesn’t happen in a vacuum.” There’s an infrastructure in place, logistics, all that it takes to move these kids and abuse them. How those people sleep at night is clear to me; they possess no souls. Call them demons or monsters, whatever you want, but no word exists that can capture what these human filth truly are. Maybe “nobody” is the right word for them.
Tim discovers that Rocío was shipped off to Columbia, where a bunch of soulless nobodies separated her from Miguel. It’s there that the Department of Homeland Security lets him work with the locals to find her and bring her home.
But, you don’t just infiltrate the Colombian Cartel without having the right connections. Enter Vampiro (Camp). He’s a former soulless nobody who is trying to right his many past wrongs. He is a really interesting character, and Camp portrays him masterfully. He’s always lived life on the edge, but now he puts his connections to work for justice. And he and Tim work on a sting to trick the traffickers into selling them a bunch of kids.
Together with the local authorities led by an affable guy named Jorge (Javier Godino) the trio work within the confines of the law to get the kids back. But, again, the law has its limits. And Tim’s boss back home puts an end to the endeavor. It’s then that Tim realizes if he is serious about getting Rocío back, he’s going to have to resign as an agent and work outside of their authority.
Tim and Vampiro and Jorge work with a wealthy playboy type to setup a trap to not only snare and arrest the pedos, but again to get the kids back. There is a CBS story about it, linked here: Operation Underground Railroad.
If the movie ended there, it would still be a powerful and incredible movie, and I almost wanted the movie to end there, even without the closure I was hoping for, as a terrible reminder that there are thousands of these kids out there, right now, lost and broken by the world.
But that is not where the story ends, and here it is clear that the filmmakers used some creative license with the original story to add some drama and more closure for the audience. I won’t harp on the differences of what makes this “Based On a True Story” versus a totally true story, because 1. I don’t know the differences and 2. I don’t care. The issue isn’t about that, it’s about the fact that we have a serious problem on this planet!
If I have to criticize Sound of Freedom for anything, it would have to be not using Mira Sorvino more. But, you can tell she was honored just to be a small part of this meaningful film. Her work on exposing Harvey Weinstein as the villain he is makes her a legend. And I can guarantee you she isn’t done destroying monsters in Hollywood . . . and elsewhere.
I have posted a link to how you can not only see Sound of Freedom for free, but also share it with your friends and family. Yes, this is not a fun film, and it should be difficult to watch. Our world is broken when we are selling children for sex and worse. If you are a parent, what would you do to get your kid back? Is there a line you wouldn’t cross, a border, a law, or anything?
Think it doesn’t happen here?
But, don’t worry, this isn’t Honduras . . . it isn’t like this is happening to our kids . . . right? I will reveal something here, my friend was approached in high school by a chicken hawk. He was savvy enough to navigate that situation the right way.
Two separate times I was almost abducted as a kid . . . in Fort Lauderdale. One time was walking home directly in front of my middle school, right after school got out, in broad daylight! The other time was in front of my house, and this one always really freaks me out, because I should have done more – I wish I killed the fucker.
See, told ya, justice/law; not the same thing.
I was older than I looked, being a late bloomer and babyfaced, and this guy pulls up in a high-end sedan and asks me to help him look for his lost puppy. I approach the car but tell him I am not getting in to help him, but I will gladly keep an eye out. It’s at this point that his demeanor changed, instantly. I saw a monster where mere seconds ago a man sat.
The shift in his eyes still lingers with me, and what terrifies me is I know he got another kid that day. Without a doubt in my mind, and I feel like I failed that kid. So, yea, I lived right off of Las Olas, I am not some third-world kid here. This stuff happens all the time, and I don’t know what the solution is, but we clearly aren’t doing enough.
So, let’s put our political differences aside and figure this shit out! These kids are being sold to clients, and if these clients are being protected by anyone, it is our civil and moral duty to bring them to justice.
