Jim Caviezel (right) in ‘Sound of Freedom’.Photo:Amazon Prime Video / Courtesy Everett
Amazon Prime Video / Courtesy Everett
Jim Caviezel’s latest movie is proving a surprising success at the box office, but not without some controversy.
On July 4, independent film distribution companyAngel Studiosreleased 54-year-old Caviezel’s new movieSound of Freedominto theaters. The well-reviewed film (it holds a fresh score of 72% onRotten Tomatoes) stars thePassion of the Christactor as real-life U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent named Tim Ballard, a co-founder of the anti-trafficking organization Operation Underground Railroad.
The movie, which centers around a mission Ballard undertakes to rescue children from sex slavery around the world, has since earned more than $85 million so far at the domestic box office.Sound of Freedomfinished this past weekend at second place behind Tom Cruise’s latestMission: Impossiblefilm, perBox Office Mojo.
“Based on the gripping true story of a man’s mission to rescue children from the darkest corners of the world,” reads an official synopsis for the movie on Angel Studios’website. The synopsis says the film “shines a light on the harrowing reality of sex trafficking and the valiant efforts of those who work tirelessly to combat it.”
Jim Caviezel at the at Italian Cultural Institute Of Los Angeles on January 21, 2016.Venturelli/Getty
Venturelli/Getty
Angel Studios' head of theatrical distribution Brandon Purdie creditedSound of Freedom’s success to “incredible word-of-mouth” in astatementissued July 9. The company is offering options for fans of the film to pay for others' tickets to watch the movie in theaters via its website. In purchasing a ticket, you “show your support” for the end of child trafficking, says the company.
“This is a big deal,” Caviezel said of adreneochrome during the appearance,describingit as “an elite drug… ten times more potent than heroin.”
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Jim Caviezel in ‘Sound of Freedom’.Amazon Prime Video / Courtesy Everett
AsSound of Freedomhas gained popularity, Angel Studios published ablog postdetailing how the movie “takes certain creative liberties for storytelling purposes,” including a scene in which the main character kills a man to save a child from harm. The post also included a disclaimer that the film “took creative liberties in depicting the different methods of child trafficking,” including scenes in which children are held against their will within shipping containers.
Angel Studios also recently released astatementdenyingsocial media speculationthat AMC Theaters is suppressing screenings of the movie in its theaters. The company’s CEO Adam Aron called the suggestions “really bizarre” on Twitter.
Amid the film’s success and controversy, Donald Trump is hosting Caviezel and Ballard for an upcoming screening at his New Jersey golf course, according toNBC News.
Sound of Freedomis in theaters now.
source: people.com
