The news is undeniable: Sound of Freedom is one of the most important films of our time and defies all possible forecasts.
Without being part of a major film studio, it’s a box-office phenomenon in the United States. The film has already grossed $100 million. and according to the respected website Box Office Mojo, Sound of Freedom surpassed Indiana Jones: Dial of Destiny on opening day.
Recorded between Bogotá, Cartagena, Santa Marta and the United States, the production tells (though critics say it requires licenses) the story of Kelly Johana Suárez, a former beauty queen who was arrested in 2014 for underage sex trafficking, and Tim Ballard, the former DEA agent who helped capture her and take down this criminal network.
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Sound of Freedom was not without controversy. Those behind the film (Jim Caviezel, the protagonist, and Ballard, the former US agent who played a key role in the operation) take radical positions on religious and political issues.
On Friday, Cinemark confirmed the film’s premiere in Colombia for August 31st, and tickets have already gone on sale.
But in the midst of all the headlines the film has garnered is Cucuteña actress Cristal Aparicio, who was 11 years old when she starred in the film. The actress, who was about to turn 17 (July 30), waited the entire time, not knowing if the movie would hit theaters. Now he sees with amazement the success of the film in which he starred.
What was it like working on a Hollywood blockbuster?
The film was recorded five years ago and at that point I didn’t really know who I was recording with, who I was sharing with. I was 11 years old and didn’t have much knowledge about big actors or film companies. When I found out I was going to record with Caviezel (Jim), I was like, ‘Wow, this guy has a lot of experience, I can learn a lot from him.’
Were you already making films back then?
Sound of Freedom was the first film I made. I got to know many places, traveled by plane for the first time, met incredible people, learned a lot about the production, from the actors who accompanied me. And I also learned a lot more about the issue of child trafficking because we had psychologists and they spoke to us continuously about the issue.
Did you understand that the film deals with a sensitive topic?
when we did that The casting told us that the film would deal with difficult issues. From the beginning they told us that the children would be accompanied by psychologists and their parents, who would always be with them. They asked me if I felt comfortable with the topic being discussed and told me if not then to say so. I never felt uncomfortable because from the beginning I felt that through me many people could understand and know what is happening to many children, not only in Colombia but all over the world. It made me very happy to know that I would do my part to help spread the message. It was a difficult subject, but I think we took it very well.
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Two years after the film was shot, they called me to do a few voices, change a few lines, and tell me a little bit about how the situation was there.
They made the film five years ago but it never came out. One day it suddenly hits the cinemas, it’s one of the current films and you haven’t seen it yet, what happened?
I never had much information. I am a minor and have always been very distant from these issues. Two years after the film was shot, they called me to do a few voices, change a few lines, and tell me a little bit about how the situation was there. They told us a week before the US premiere (July 4th last year). They told me I would appear on billboards. A few days ago they called me to invite me to the premiere of Mexico on August 31st. I understand the whole situation and I am very happy that the film has already been released.
Isn’t it weird to be the lead in that movie everyone’s talking about but you haven’t seen yet?
Look, I received a lot of very nice messages. Like everything in the world and about everything, there are different opinions. I’ve received messages from people congratulating me on my work. Even though I haven’t seen the movie yet, thanks to all the messages I’ve received I feel like I did a good job. I have the feeling that the message got through. I hope to see it soon and I hope those who haven’t seen it will see it.
The film caused a lot of controversy: that the story isn’t 100% true, that the people behind it take extreme positions and various other things. Was the focus of the recording on the children’s story?
Many may have this doubt, so I’ll tell you a little about what I experienced while shooting the film. The film initially revolved around the story of Tim Ballard, the detective who helped these children. We always knew this was a real life case and that we were going to film it. I think the idea was to make the film, to publicize the case and to convey the message of the film, and that message is that there should be no child trafficking.
How do you see this controversy?
I believe there will always be two completely different opinions, and that’s acceptable because not all of us think the same way. I won’t lie to you, it was very overwhelming for me to see the rooms fill up. Let’s hope that the film will continue to be known. People here in Colombia are very happy, very excited, everyone wants to see it. I feel like a lot of things have happened but thanks to those things I’m here today. Thanks to all of that and thanks to all the sacrifices my family has made.
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What does your family say about all this?
I am Cucutena. Many people from Cúcuta have written to me that they are very proud of me. As for my family, they are happy with my job and what I want to be. And as for the controversy, my family took it very well. Obviously it’s a bit strong for them. People thank me for telling the story and for having the courage to speak about such a difficult subject.
Knowing that I played a character as important as Rocío means a lot. I believe I have accomplished my mission of spreading the message
What was the meaning of this film when you made it and what does it mean now?
When I made this film it was a dream for me, but I was 11 years old at the time. I didn’t have that much experience and that made me very nervous. It was my first film, it was my dream and to see it come true exactly how I imagined it is amazing. It’s also very important to know that I played a character as important as Rocío. I think I accomplished my mission which was to spread the word and make people aware of everything that is happening to children.
What has happened in your career in these almost six years?
I continued my acting career. I’ve done a lot of productions. I have already recorded four films, one I shot for South Korea, where I had the opportunity to travel and get to know each other. I did a movie I just starred in called Alix that was inspired by Alice in Wonderland. I have done many telenovelas for Colombia. I also did series for Netflix. The love of art and acting is still there. At the moment I’m recording a very important production and although I can’t give details I can say that it makes me very happy. Since this film came out, I’ve had a lot of support. I wasn’t expecting so many messages, so many opinions and it was a bit overwhelming for me, I won’t lie to you.
Did you receive a message that caught your attention?
I received a message that made me a little sad. A girl wrote me a super cute message thanking me for making the movie. She told me that she went through almost the same story and that it made her feel like I was going to shed some light on things that are happening because not many people are dealing with this topic.
URSULA LEVY
For the time
On Twitter: @Uschilevy
Timothy Ballard, the hero in the fight against child trafficking
A bachelor party for an American millionaire and pedophile in Cartagena. That was the plan of the operation that enabled the dismantling of a network of Colombians and foreigners offering sexual services to minors in 2014.
The story of that operation and the man who worked with authorities to recover 17 child victims of sexual exploitation, Timothy Ballard, is the storyline of Sound of Freedom.
Ballard, an American and former CIA agent, worked in covert operations for 12 years and is the founder and CEO of Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), an organization focused on combating child trafficking and child sex tourism.
Ballard resigned from his US government job on December 10, 2013 and has since dedicated himself to saving children from sex tourism at home and abroad.
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For the assignment in Colombia, the ex-agent called together American volunteers, including Laurie Holden, actress of the series The Walking Dead. Ballard, Holden and others threw a fake bachelorette party with foreigners who, after negotiating with a pimp, would attract at least 25 minors. Ballard’s assignment was to make the contact and pay the money – about three thousand dollars. Holden’s posing as an ICBF employee.
During the operation, former popular beauty queen of Cartagena Kelly Johana Suárez, then 22 years old, was arrested. Suárez was arrested along with five other people, including American Marcus Bronschidle. The network operated in Cartagena, Armenia and Medellín.
Child trafficking, a phenomenon that still gives cause for concern
According to the Directorate for Protection and Special Services of the National Police, 15 cases of human trafficking involving minors have been reported so far this year; Likewise, 24 people have been arrested for this crime and several operations are planned to counter this scourge.
On the other hand, 118 people were arrested for crimes of commercial sexual exploitation of children and young people. The National Police arrested 2,992 people this year for offenses related to sexual violence. On the other hand, the establishment promotes the “Open your eyes” program implemented by the 54 child and youth protection groups to prevent cases of human trafficking and smuggling of minors in 47 prioritized communities.
These measures resulted in a 34 percent reduction in crimes against sexual freedom, integrity and education in 43 cities. A 32 percent reduction in domestic violence was also achieved in 31 communities.
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