Summary
Anti-child trafficking film Sound of Freedom has been a box office success, but one of its investors, Fabian Marta, has been arrested for child kidnapping.
The film, directed by Alejandro Monteverde and featuring Jim Caviezel, follows the journey of a former government agent who takes matters into his own hands in South America to dismantle a child trafficking organization. The movie draws inspiration from true events.
Marta was a supporter of the film Sound of Freedom through crowdfunding and her name is mentioned in the end credits. Further details regarding the arrest have not been disclosed yet.
The box office success of the anti-child trafficking movie Sound of Freedom has been overshadowed by the arrest of one of its investors on charges of child kidnapping. Directed by Alejandro Monteverde and featuring Jim Caviezel in the lead role, the film follows the story of a former government agent who works to dismantle a child sex trafficking operation in South America. Despite being loosely based on real events, the movie has become a surprise hit at the box office this summer.
Following the film's theatrical release, Newsweek has reported that Fabian Marta, one of the film's investors, has been arrested and charged with felony child kidnapping. Marta was a contributor to the crowdfunding campaign for the movie and is credited in the closing of the film as one of the individuals who helped make the project a reality. Arrested on July 23, Marta could potentially face a prison sentence of up to 10 years if convicted.
Sound Of Freedom's Success Explained
Angel Studios' Sound of Freedom has achieved remarkable success as an independently released film this year. Despite competing against major blockbusters like Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, The Flash, and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, the movie has managed to hold its ground on select weekends. Despite receiving somewhat lukewarm reviews from critics and facing criticism for its lack of accuracy to real events, the film's success can be attributed to the unwavering support of the audience.
A notable factor in Sound of Freedom's triumph is its unconventional yet effective marketing strategy. The film has successfully tapped into the conservative and religious bases, presenting support for the movie as a stance against child trafficking. Additionally, the involvement of the controversial figure Caviezel, known for his past support of harmful QAnon conspiracy theories, has played a crucial role in connecting with these audiences. In fact, the Sound of Freedom trailer concludes with a personal appeal from the actor himself, urging viewers to watch the film and valiantly declare that "God's children are no longer for sale."
The success of the film is largely attributed to Angel Studios' effective "Pay It Forward" campaign. This initiative allows backers to contribute money, which is then used to provide complimentary tickets and expand the film's audience. To further bolster this strategy, Caviezel encourages viewers to take action at the conclusion of the film. As a result, numerous screenings of Sound of Freedom have been reported as "sold out," even though the actual number of attendees is relatively small.