MIAMI, Fla. — As “Sound of Freedom” hits theaters next Tuesday with a bold message calling for freedom for millions of children enslaved in human trafficking, filmmakers are not only using their talents to Hollywood but potentially also in politics.
Director and co-writer Alejandro Monteverde told The Christian Post that he felt “called” by God to direct “Sound of Freedom” following the success of his films “Little Boy” and “Bella.”
“Today is one of the most important days of my life and I am very grateful,” Monteverde said during a red carpet interview.
“There are two types of stories, the ones I want to do and the ones I have been called to do and this one I have been called to do.”
At the premiere of “Sound of Freedom,” Monteverde openly encouraged his friend, Mexican actor and film producer Eduardo Verástegui to “run for president” of Mexico in order to ensure a lasting impact on the fight against trafficking.
The reports have emerged in recent years, suggesting that the actor is considering a possible presidential run. Earlier this month, Verástegui asked for prayers because he must make a decision regarding a possible candidacy for the 2024 presidential election “very soon”.
Filmed five years ago, the film tells the true story of one man’s journey to combat child sex trafficking. THE Angel Studios The film is based on the life of Tim Ballard, a former U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent who left his job because he wanted to do more to save children from modern-day slavery.
Starring Jim Caviezel (“The Passion of the Christ”), the dramatic thriller also stars Oscar winner Mira Sorvino (“The Final Cut”), Bill Camp (“12 Years a Slave”) “) and José Zúñiga (“Twilight”). In addition to acting in the film, Verástegui (“Unplanned”) is the film’s producer.
Verástegui and Monteverde have been friends since they were teenagers, and over the past eight years, the two have worked diligently with Ballard to bring its mission to combat child sex trafficking to the forefront so that the masses become aware.
The film crew, both men of faith, believe in the film’s slogan “God’s children are not for sale” and hope that millions of people will take action after watching the film. They hope the story will inspire others to help end this form of child abuse.
“Sound of Freedom” will have viewers on the edge of their seats, waiting to see what Ballard does next on his mission to reunite a vulnerable family whose worst nightmare was brought to life when both children were captured for the sex work. Featuring strong language and some violence, scenes in the film that are not shown but suggested have a haunting effect on the audience.
The studio wants families with teenagers to see the film together, because teenagers also need to be made aware of the ills of the world that they may experience.
Monteverde told CP he took seriously what Jesus told his disciples Luke 17:1-2, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks will arise, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and thrown into the sea than for one of these little ones to fall. stumble.”
According to a report According to a report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development released in January, Mexico “ranks first in child sexual abuse; at the forefront for the exploitation, homicides and trafficking of minors; and at the forefront of the creation and distribution of child pornography.”
The United States has been identified as the “top consumer of sex in the world,” including child pornography, according to Geoff Rogers, co-founder of the American Institute Against Human Trafficking, cited in a 2019 article . Fox News report.
Verástegui previously shared with CP that he wants to “put pressure on the government to make these things a top priority, not just for the government, but for everyone.”
“What hurts me the most is that the people who do this to these children are human beings like you and me, made of the same things. They are not people who come from other planets who are our enemies. They’re people like us. So at what point, what happened to these guys? Verástegui continued. “At one point, they were kids full of dreams. So what happened, at what point did they decide to say, ‘You know what? I’m going to use my life to hurt children.'”
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime defines human trafficking as any situation in which someone experiences “force, coercion, kidnapping, fraud, deception, abuse of power or vulnerability, or gives payments or benefits to a person in control.”
New York actor Manny Perez, who plays one of the traffickers in the film, described “feeling dirty” after his role because of the difference between his character and who he is as a crime boss. faith. Perez felt it was an important role he had to take on and raise awareness of a harsh reality that exists.
Filmmakers, actors and Angel Studios hope at least 2 million people will go to the movies on July 4 to represent the 2 million children currently victims of human trafficking.
Several Hollywood studios rejected the film, but Angel Studios acquired worldwide distribution rights earlier this year.
Angel Studios is a platform for filmmakers to collaborate with audiences and bring their projects to life through crowdfunding. It creates and distributes films and television series worldwide and is known as the studio behind “The Chosen” and “Dry Bar Comedy.”
To get the message across, Angel Studios has set up a “Pay it forward” program in which someone could pay for the ticket of someone else who otherwise would not see “Sound of Freedom.”
Jeannie Ortega Law is a reporter for The Christian Post. Contact her at: jeannie.law@christianpost.com She is also the author of the book, What is happening to me? How to Defeat Your Invisible Enemy Follow her on Twitter: @jlawcp Facebook: JeannieOMusic
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