FULL TRANSCRIPT BELOW] “I get films. I don’t get the easy ones. And this one definitely wasn’t,” says actor Jim Caviezel. “This is a huge weapon to evil, and they don’t like it.”
In this episode, I sit down with actor Jim Caviezel and Tim Ballard, a former Department of Homeland Security special agent and founder of Operation Underground Railroad. Jim Caviezel plays Ballard in the new Angel Studios action drama film “Sound of Freedom,” which sheds light on the dark realities of both human and sex trafficking.
“This country needs to be the solution. Instead, we are the problem,” says Ballard. “We’re the source of the corruption right now that is enslaving children.”
“The United States is number three for destination countries for human trafficking, number one for the consumption of child rape videos. And we are now approaching number one in the production of child exploitation material,” Ballard says.
Interview trailer:
Watch the full interview: https://www.theepochtimes.com/jim-caviezel-and-tim-ballard-hard-truths-of-the-global-child-sex-trade-and-the-spiritual-battle-for-our-children_5364424.html
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Jan Jekielek: Jim Caviezel, Tim Ballard, such a pleasure to have you on American Thought Leaders.
Tim Ballard: Thank you.
Jim Caviezel: Thank you.
Mr. Jekielek: I’ve watched the film, “Sound of Freedom,” twice now. Tim, the first time, I couldn’t believe that you lived this story, and I know it’s your story. It’s unbelievable, and so engaging. The second time, I thought that this film has a chance to raise awareness about something that is very difficult to talk about—child trafficking. Jim, you play Tim Ballard in the movie. Please tell me about playing this role.
Mr. Caviezel: It’s about Tim Ballard, former Homeland Security and CIA. He’s fighting an uphill battle. He’s getting these traffickers, but he can’t save the kids. God answers his prayer when he takes down one of the worst traffickers and pedophiles that they had seen at the border. Out of the voice of babes, a little boy says, “Will you save my sister?” So, Tim risks his life, and essentially sells everything he has.
He talks to his wife, and she says, “Go and do what you’re supposed to do.” He had a purpose. I love it when Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a pearl that I would sell everything for,” essentially. Tim gets it, and he sells everything to go and find his heart where this little girl is. “No greater love have you than to lay your life down for your brother or your sister.” And he lays it down for this little child.
Mr. Jekielek: Tim, in the film there’s this pendant that Miguel, the little boy that you rescued, gave to you, and his sister had given it to him. It creates this wonderful continuity throughout the film.
Speaker 1: [foreign language]
Mr. Jekielek: Was this real?
Mr. Ballard: Yes, I’m so glad you asked. You’re the first person who has asked this question, and it’s a very important question. I begged the writers not to include that piece, not because it wasn’t true, because it is true. I thought no one would believe it, and that no one would believe that it was this little boy who kicked off my whole life mission. I was not committed yet. I thought, I’ll just do this for a few years. You’re supposed to stay in child crimes four or five years max, because it burns holes in your brain.
But after that experience, I couldn’t do anything else. He does give me the pendant, on a necklace. He said something to me, and I remember that moment. This didn’t even make it into the film. But it was one of the most transformational moments in my life, when we got him out of the van.
I don’t know if they cut that scene or not, where Jim’s carrying the boy out of the van. I had to go interview him for several days to find out what’s going on. Where’s your sister? Where are the other people? He gave me this necklace that his sister had given him. It was like a rosary.
I said, “Why do I want this?” He didn’t really tell me why. It was almost like he was being inspired. A few days later, when I had it in my office, my son saw it. This boy was about five years old, and my son was a few years older than that.
He said, “Dad, where did you get this?” I said, “It’s from this little boy that we rescued.” He asked, “How did he know your name? That’s so cool that he put your name on the necklace.” I said, “No, my name’s not on the necklace.” I flipped it around and there it is, 1 Timothy, 6:11, which is a beautiful scripture. From my head to my toes, I just felt invigorated and enlightened, like, “Oh my gosh.”
Speaker 1: [foreign language]
Mr. Ballard: People say it was a coincidence. For m