Sex Trafficking & “The Sound of Freedom”

Starring Jim Caviezel and Mira Sorvino

My boyfriend and I were invited to Las Vegas for a private screening of Sound of Freedom, an absolutely brilliant film which tells the TRUE story of one of Tim Ballard’s most heroic and adventurous rescue missions. Ballard is the founder of Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) which seeks to rescue and bring healing to victims of sex trafficking. JJ and I volunteer with O.U.R. I asked JJ to write about this experience.

By JJ Brown

Jim Caviezel was at the screening and told us that playing Ballard was his second most important role, right after playing the lead in The Passion of Christ. I’m pleased to report that it was one of the best made films I’ve ever seen and possibly the most important. I’m sad to report that for some mysterious reason, Hollywood will not promote this film. It will have to make it on the power of its message and humanity’s love of our children.

I can say that Nicole considers Jim Caviezel to be a Christ-like figure. His performance in The Passion of Christ had a tremendous impact on her. Now, add the fact that she was able to watch him play the savior of child victims of sexual abuse in another amazing film and maybe you can begin to understand that for her he’s more than just an actor.

After the premier Nicole was able to spend some wonderful time with him, and he proved to be much more than just another celebrity. Nicole told him about her childhood sexual trauma, her healing, and about the attack from the dark side that led to her leap off of Webb Hill.

He told her about being struck by lightning, dislocating his shoulder, getting actually struck by a whip during the whipping scene, suffering hypothermia while on the cross, and the heart surgeries he ended up having as a result of the filming (see the story). He knew these were attacks from the dark side in retaliation for making the film. He said Satan is always coming after us, especially those trying to serve God’s purposes. He told Nicole that if we just keep walking God’s path for us, Satan will never catch up, but God will help us circle back around on Satan, and our work will bite him in the rear.

Then, Jim, with the light of Christ in his eyes, testified to Nicole that Satan did try to stop her work, but that her determination to keep on her path has already nipped him in the bud. If we just keep moving forward, anything Satan can do to us will be used for God’s purposes and refine us. Then, Jim Caviezel… kissed Nicole on the cheek! She’s pretty disappointed that I didn’t get a pic of that.

That visit with Jim was an extraordinary moment and a tender mercy for both Nicole and me. We determined more than ever to serve those who have been hurt and support those who love them.

Please watch for the release of Sound of Freedom and make sure everyone you know sees it! Unlike some of his other films, Mel Gibson, who is promoting it and helped edit it, handled the sensitive issues very gently without sugarcoating them or rubbing the horror in our faces. It’s a poignant, important, painful, and beautiful true story.