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Channels with Peter Kafka

Today, Explained: Sound of Freedom is the surprise movie hit of the summer

Aug 17, 2023
Discover how the movie 'Sound of Freedom' became a surprise hit, surpassing blockbuster films, and delve into its themes of child sex trafficking and the involvement of faith-based groups. Explore the challenges the filmmakers faced in finding a distributor and learn about the controversy surrounding the real-life inspiration behind the movie. Join the podcast to listen to personal experiences of confronting human trafficking and the discussion on the essay by Meg Conley, Tim Ballard's departure from Operation Underground Railroad, and Brad Smith's podcast.
30:50

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Quick takeaways

  • Sound of Freedom, a low-budget film distributed by Angel Studios, achieved surprising box office success, surpassing blockbuster movies.
  • The controversies surrounding Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad raise questions about the effectiveness of anti-trafficking interventions and the movie's portrayal of the organization.

Deep dives

The Origins of Sound of Freedom

Sound of Freedom, a crime thriller film, originated from Angel Studios, a Utah-based content company that aims to provide clean and faith-adjacent films. Initially, the film was connected to Fox in Latin America for distribution, but after the Disney-Fox merger, it was left without a distributor. The filmmakers then connected with Angel Studios, and the movie became part of their production lineup. Angel Studios quickly raised five million dollars through a public offering to release and promote the film. The movie drew attention for its surprising success, outperforming blockbuster films at the box office, and raising questions about its unexpected popularity.

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