Uncovering the Film Locations of Sound of Freedom

The movie "Sound of Freedom" documents an anti-sex trafficking mission in South America and the following is a breakdown of its filming locations.

Released on July 4, "Sound of Freedom" played in theaters across America, sparking a media frenzy. This has led to a controversial online debate, with one side claiming astroturfing and QAnon connections, and the other alleging anti-Christian bias and promotional interference.

Regardless of your opinion, there's no denying the movie’s success - it has earned almost $173 million at the box office (before its international release) on a $14.5 million budget. Starring Jim Caviezel as real-life Tim Ballard, the plot focuses on the federal agent as he quits his job and ventures into the Colombian jungle to save a young boy’s sister from child sex traffickers. Now that the movie is in US cinemas and preparing for its global release, we have compiled a list of Sound of Freedom’s filming locations.

Sound of Freedom filming locations

Principal photography for Sound of Freedom commenced in the summer of 2018 and wrapped up in the same year. The movie faced delays in reaching the big screen due to distribution rights issues, which were transferred to Disney during the Fox merger. Eventually, Angel Studios crowdfunded to acquire the rights and become its current distributor – for more details, click here.

While much of the movie is set in Colombia, there are several filming locations the production team headed to for Sound of Freedom. So, let’s get into it. 

Imperial County, California

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The narrative of Tim Ballard in Sound of Freedom begins with his role as a special agent for Homeland Security Investigations in California, with numerous scenes shot in Calexico, a city situated on the Mexican border in southern Imperial County.

Photos were posted of Jim Caviezel filming in Calexico with Jason Solarez, a young actor filling in for another character in Colombia. The Calexico Chronicle reported that several Imperial County locals were recruited to assist with the movie, serving as extras or aides. Among them was Abbie Solarez, a Brawley resident who worked as a location scout and production coordinator, and also happens to be Jason's grandfather. "We filmed the movie scenes in Tim's actual booth, the one he worked in here in Calexico at the Port of Entry," he shared with the outlet.

Abbie proceeded to elaborate that his responsibility involved finding filming locations that corresponded to the scenes already filmed in Colombia, where the majority of the movie was shot. He added, "The chase scenes were filmed behind Applebee's in some old abandoned streets, and the house in Calexico had to resemble the house in Colombia for all the exterior shots."

Cartagena, Colombia

A lot of the filming for Sound of Freedom took place in Colombia, where Ballard embarks on a mission to save a young girl from the grip of a local sex trafficking operation. In reality, after leaving his government position, he established Operation Underground Railroad, a non-profit organization dedicated to putting an end to the exploitation of children in the sex trade.

OUR partnered with Colombian authorities in 2014 for a sting operation in Cartagena, resulting in the rescue of 54 children aged 11 to 18, reported by CBS News. Then, in 2022, members of the organization attended an anti-trafficking summit in the same city, which is situated on Colombia's Caribbean coast. The production team for Sound of Freedom also chose Cartagena as a location to shoot scenes for the movie due to its significant history with the organization. In October 2018, the film's Instagram page posted a photo of director Alejandro Monteverde and Caviezel filming in Cartagena.

Isla Barú, Colombia

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The Sound of Freedom team ventured to the nearby Isla Barú in Colombia to film the crucial beach scenes for the movie. This island, situated about 40km south of Cartagena, is renowned for its stunning beaches, with Playa Blanca being a standout feature.

However, the island took on a darker tone when Sound of Freedom filmed scenes there, delving into a serious subject matter. The film's Instagram page also posted a picture from its 2018 production on the island, featuring actors Eduardo Verástegui and Bill Camp in their roles as Vampiro and Pablo, respectively.

Sound of Freedom can be streamed on Prime Video, which you can sign up for here. You can also check out our other coverage below:

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am excited about the release of "Sound of Freedom" and its portrayal of an anti-sex trafficking mission in South America. The movie's success at the box office, despite controversies and debates, is a testament to its powerful storytelling and the importance of raising awareness about this critical issue. The film's choice of filming locations, from the arid landscapes of Imperial County, California, to the vibrant cities of Cartagena and the tranquil Isla Barú in Colombia, adds authenticity and depth to the narrative.

The fact that much of the movie was shot in Colombia, where the real-life events took place, adds a layer of realism and emotional resonance to the story. The involvement of Colombian authorities and the organization Operation Underground Railroad in the filming process further enhances the movie's credibility and impact. As a Gen Z fan, I appreciate the filmmakers' commitment to authenticity and their efforts to shed light on the ongoing fight against sex trafficking. "Sound of Freedom" serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to combat this global issue and protect vulnerable children from exploitation.