Criticized by much of the American media and praised by conservatives, the Sound of Freedom, a child trafficking thriller, shook the box office and reflects the ideological divisions that fracture the United States.
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Just two weeks after its release in North America, the film has grossed more than $85.7 million, almost six times its production costs, and has far outperformed big-budget productions like the latest Indiana. Jones”.
Inspired by a true story, the feature film follows the heroic rescue of victims of child trafficking. A classic plot at first glance and consensual morals that should have been unanimous.
But in a divided country where culture wars — a term for explosive controversy over social issues — are on the rise, the film and its motivations present questions and divisions.
The film has been accused by progressives of being a recruitment tool for far-right groups and promoting QAnon conspiracy theories (believing in the existence of a global sex trafficking network organized by an elite Satanist pedophile elite), and praised by conservatives.
“Almost as interesting as the film itself is the reaction it seems to elicit from the mainstream media, which seems determined to destroy it at all costs,” said British writer Will Jordan in a positive review of the film that followed was published on his YouTube channel by 1.8 million subscribers.
“One would have thought that a film that sheds light on the hidden nightmare of child trafficking would be an admirable cause that deserves to be supported,” he continues.
Made in 2018 with Mexican funding, the film is inspired by the true story of former American intelligence agent Tim Ballard, who founded Operation Underground Railroad in 2013 to help children who are victims of Colombian sex trafficking.
A cause close to the heart of many conservatives, including ex-President Donald Trump, who is organizing a screening of the film at his golf club in New Jersey on Wednesday.
Angel Studios, the film’s distributor, is enjoying full houses across the country. “Thanks to the incredible word of mouth, seeing the film has become a must-see,” said Brandon Purdie, director of theatrical distribution.
But the film has drawn criticism for its portrayal of human trafficking and for the controversy surrounding its lead actor, Jim Caviezel, who notably played Jesus Christ in the Mel Gibson film The Passion of the Christ.
The 54-year-old actor, a devout Catholic, has attended several events organized by the QAnon movement and defends the conspiracy theory that elites are taking the blood of children to feed on adrenochrome, a hormone with anti-aging properties Effect.
The man who inspired the film, Tim Ballard, has also publicly flirted with the often-contradictory theory that a furniture chain sells children. And his club is accused of having exaggerated its role in the relief efforts carried out.
Reactions to the film, positive or negative, highlight the gap between mainstream press opinion and audience opinion, which gave it a top score of 100% on the Rotten Tomatoes website and an A+ on CinemaScore.
Reviews from most major media outlets were negative, with the New York Times or the Guardian criticizing its proximity to QAnon or deeming it distasteful.
“To know that thousands of adults are swallowing the vigilante dream portrayed in ‘Sound of Freedom,’ and emerging feeling better informed about a latent crisis of civilization…is deeply depressing,” writes Rolling magazine. Stone.
Reviews in which author Will Jordan sees hypocrisy and opposes progressive support for “Mignonnes,” a French film aired by Netflix in 2020 accused of hypersexualizing young girls.
“Sound of Freedom,” he says, “reminds us that while there are many bad men in this world who do the worst things imaginable, there are also good men who fight to do them before them to bring judgment.”