Unveiling the Sound of Freedom: A Deep Dive into QAnon and Beyond
Unveiling the Sound of Freedom controversy: Delve into the intriguing connections between QAnon, Mel Gibson, and more in this true story-based film Discover the alleged cinema blockades faced by this controversial movie
Sound of Freedom is making waves in the US as one of the year's biggest hits. However, it has also sparked significant controversy due to its connections to QAnon, Mel Gibson, and more. Directed by Alejandro Monteverde, the film revolves around Tim Ballard (played by Jim Caviezel), a federal agent on a perilous mission to rescue children from sex trafficking.
After its release in cinemas on July 4, the film quickly became one of the most popular independent releases of the summer, ranking third in the domestic box office, just behind the big budget blockbusters Indiana Jones 5 and Barbie.
Although it may seem like a gripping thriller on the surface, the film has been surrounded by controversy since its development began in 2015. Here's what you need to know.
Is Sound of Freedom based on a true story?
Yes, Sound of Freedom is based on a true story – but it’s a bit of a gray area, with many outlets debating the truth behind the truth. Let us explain…
The main character of the movie, Tim Ballard, has devoted his entire career to pursuing predators. This commitment began during his 12-year tenure as a special agent of the Department of Homeland Security, where he operated undercover for units focused on anti-human trafficking and crimes against children.
However, in various interviews, Ballard has spoken out about his frustrations with the limitations placed on him as he attempted to rescue kidnapped and trafficked children. He also expressed disappointment regarding the lack of effective strategies and legal actions against offenders in cases occurring outside of the United States. As a result, in 2013, he decided to depart from the government and establish Operation Underground Railroad (OUR), a charitable organization dedicated to liberating children from sex trafficking operations.
According to OUR’s website, the film "Sound of Freedom" tells the true story of the founding of Operation Underground Railroad and follows Tim Ballard's journey to liberate children from sex trafficking worldwide. The website also acknowledges that while the film may contain some exaggerated or fabricated elements for dramatic purposes, it includes factual moments such as the rescue operation on a Colombian island. This operation, known as Operation Triple Take, resulted in the rescue of 123 survivors, including 55 minors, making it OUR's largest undertaking to date.
The characters Katy/Giselle (Yessica Borroto Perryman) and Vampiro (Bill Camp) are reportedly inspired by real individuals, making it seem like a typical movie based on a true story. Nevertheless, Sound of Freedom has faced controversy, with critics questioning the events surrounding Ballard’s organization.
A 2020 investigation by Vice World News highlighted a "discrepancy between the group's actual practices and some of its proclaimed achievements."
Anna Merlan, a writer, explained that Ballard has repeatedly made claims about OUR playing a central role in a major anti-trafficking case in New York State and implying that the organization helped in the rescue of a victim, when in reality, court transcripts and other records reviewed by Vice World News show that the victim actually escaped her trafficker on her own. Additionally, law enforcement agencies that OUR claims to have partnered with or supported have described their relationships as insubstantial.
Why is Sound of Freedom linked to QAnon?
Several individuals knowledgeable about a potential inquiry by the New York Post into OUR, which ultimately did not proceed, informed Vice that it centered on whether the organization had "made deceptive statements to contributors and the public regarding the nature of its work, and the extent of its participation in rescue operations."
Despite the uncertainty surrounding OUR, the primary focus of conversations about Sound of Freedom has been its association with QAnon. QAnon is a political conspiracy theory that gained widespread attention in 2017 through posts on 4chan by far-right individuals. The central belief of the theory revolves around a group of Satanic, cannibalistic abusers running a child sex trafficking ring, and their alleged conspiracy against Donald Trump during his time as president.
The movie has been linked to QAnon supporters by critics. The Guardian referred to Sound of Freedom as a “QAnon-adjacent thriller,” stating that it contains subtext that may appeal to QAnon followers.
The Washington Post emphasized that "Sound of Freedom" has faced criticism for distorting the truth about child exploitation and appealing to QAnon conspiracy theorists, something distributor Angel Studios has refuted. However, the connections run deeper, with both Tim Ballard and actor Jim Caviezel expressing support for conspiracy theories associated with the movement.
TWP brought attention to a tweet from 2020 in which Ballard talked about the viral speculation that the furniture retailer Wayfair was involved in online child trafficking. He mentioned, "Law enforcement will investigate and we'll find out the truth soon." He also stated, "But I must say this: children are indeed sold in this manner."
In 2021, Caviezel, chosen by Ballard because of his roles in The Count of Monte Cristo and Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, discussed an especially extreme belief from the QAnon theory while promoting Sound of Freedom.
The claim posits that members of the elite in Hollywood who worship Satan torture children and consume their blood in order to obtain a life-sustaining substance known as adrenochrome. According to TWP, Caviezel mentioned during a speech in Oklahoma that Ballard was unavailable due to his efforts in rescuing children from dire situations, including the extraction of adrenochrome from them. He stated, "If a child knows he’s going to die, his body will secrete this adrenaline.” He also expressed, "These people that do it, there’ll be no mercy for them. This is one of the best films I’ve ever done in my life. The film is on Academy Award level.”
Sound of Freedom endorsed by Mel Gibson
Sound of Freedom has defied critics' mixed reception and is enjoying remarkable success at the box office. Despite its turbulent development, the film has gained widespread support from various celebrities, notably Mel Gibson.
The script was initiated in 2015 and filmed in 2018. Despite being acquired by Fox, the project was put on hold after the studio was bought by the Walt Disney Company, leading to speculation about the studio's motives. The filmmakers reportedly made efforts to repurchase the rights for Sound of Freedom, a film that received endorsements from several high-profile individuals. Mel Gibson released a video urging people to watch the film, highlighting the issue of human trafficking, particularly involving children.
Mel GibsonGo See #SoundOfFreedom Out July 4th. pic.twitter.com/MIS2wiuhUv
— Ray (Trumpish) (@RayLaFleur27) July 1, 2023
Elon Musk demonstrated his support by offering free promotion on Twitter. The movie's official account previously tweeted a plea for 2 million people to attend the opening week in honor of the 2 million trafficked children each year, to which Musk suggested offering the movie for free for a limited time or asking for subscriptions to support without keeping any funds. QAnon supporters believe the movie reveals the truth about child sex trafficking and claim that Disney tried to block its release. The accusations continue from there...
Cinemas accused of blocking Sound of Freedom screenings
Viewers have accused certain movie theaters of blocking Sound of Freedom screenings… by cutting the air conditioning.
User @bleighve1112 recently took to TikTok to express frustration with AMC, alleging that the theater chain refunded tickets for “The Sound of Freedom” without explanation. She and her friends had pre-ordered tickets for the film and were bewildered when they received refunds. Upon visiting the cinema, they were informed that all tickets had been refunded because the theater lacked proper ventilation, which they found perplexing given that the theater was empty.
The TikToker alleged that despite the lack of AC in the screening room, it was functioning in the lobby, hallways, and bathrooms. "I smell something stinky," she stated.
AMC refunded all tickets for a showing of Sound of Freedom because of the absence of AC. However, the woman in question still attended and demanded an explanation. "There was air conditioning in the lobby, in the hallway, in the bathrooms. Not the theaters? I smell something stinky."
On July 8, 2023, Citizen Free Press reported that numerous movie-goers have accused theaters of attempting to obstruct viewing of the film "Sound of Freedom." One individual shared on Twitter that their tickets were for theater 12, but upon arrival, they discovered the film was playing in theater 2 instead. This has raised suspicion and concern among patrons.
Another person shared their experience, stating "I had the opposite experience. I was nearly freezing because the air conditioning in the Regal theater was turned up so high that it was unbearable, but I was determined to stay in my seat. I'll probably end up getting sick, but I felt a sense of responsibility to stay and thought it would be inappropriate to complain given the movie's content." However, not everyone agrees with this explanation, as one person said, "The theaters have multiple HVAC units running them – guessing one went out – which happens in the middle of the Summer."
Another person added, "Large buildings are equipped with multiple AC units to cool various areas. If those units are not functioning, there is no alternative way to cool the building."
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Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I find the controversy surrounding "Sound of Freedom" intriguing and concerning. The film's connections to QAnon and Mel Gibson raise red flags, as these entities are known for spreading misinformation and promoting harmful ideologies. It's important to approach the film with caution and be aware of the potential biases and inaccuracies it may contain.
While the film may be based on a true story, the alleged exaggerations and fabrications for dramatic purposes raise questions about its authenticity. The discrepancies between the organization's claims and the accounts provided by law enforcement agencies further add to the skepticism surrounding the film. It's crucial to critically evaluate the information presented in the film and seek out additional sources to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the events depicted.
