SOUND OF FREEDOM Composer Found Sobriety While Recording Movie’s Soundtrack
By Movieguide® Contributor
Nearly nine months after SOUND OF FREEDOM’s theatrical release, the soundtrack is finally available.
The summer 2023 blockbuster features music from storied Spanish film composer Javier Navarrete.
“Available everywhere now, the album features original music written by Navarrete for the high-stakes true story about a federal agent in a fight against child traffickers in Colombia,” an Angels Studio press release said on Mar 22.
The Colorado Springs Gazette reported that the movie made $216 million globally and $183 million in the United States.
Movieguide® reported on SOUND OF FREEDOM’s success last July:
Since the movie’s debut July 4, SOUND OF FREEDOM has made history.
The movie has grossed more than $100 million in the box office in less than three weeks.
The head of theatrical distribution for Angel Studios, Brandon Purdie, said in a press release, “There have only been 10 wide-release movies in box office history that have had a second-weekend increase greater than 35% over their opening weekend. All of them achieved this milestone during Christmas. Angel Studios is the only studio to accomplish this feat during the summer blockbuster season with ‘Sound of Freedom.’”
The movie’s composer has worked on Spanish and English movies since the 1980s. Navarrete’s score for PAN’S LABRYNTH earned him an Oscar nomination in 2007. In 2008, he received a Grammy nomination, per All Music.
“Navarrete resonated with the film’s storyline and themes, particularly the importance of protecting childhood innocence in an increasingly grown up world,” the press release said. “Recording at London’s iconic Abbey Road Studios, Navarrete utilized a largescale orchestra comprised of internationally renowned instrumentalists for the soundtrack, also enlisting youth soloists and a children’s choir as collaborators across the album’s 19 tracks.”
The composer said that his work on the movie profoundly impacted his life. It led him to sobriety.
“The moment I arrived to London for the score’s recording, I completely lost any desire to drink alcohol,” he said. “I never had any intention to stop drinking, it really just happened. It’s been four years and I haven’t had any desire to go back. I feel much better. That may seem a modest amount of freedom to have conquered with these sounds, but it means a lot to me.”
Navarrete said about the score, “From the beginning, SOUND OF FREEDOM was a unique project. The roughness of the subject material made me doubt if I would be up to the task, and I went back and forth about it, but now believe I made the right decision. It took some time for Alejandro [Monteverde] and me to find the right key for the subject matter, until I came up with a mockup including a children’s choir.”
“Our conductor, Julian Kershaw, would later describe their singing as ‘primitive-pagan,’ but it is the call of the lost children, their way to plead with us to rescue them from the depths of their misery and absolute darkness,” he continued. “This single melody and the fragility of the children’s voices immediately unblocked our indecision and doubts: melodies, guitars and strings easily followed once we had opened the doors to this magical yet unfortunate kingdom.”
He credits the producers for the quality of the music.
“I suggested that the score would be better recorded on a large scale, and the producers agreed. I have to thank them for this: they hired the best choir, orchestra and instrumental soloists on hand, including guitarist Ale Martí, and brought them together to record at London’s Abbey Road Studios. The entire process of recording and mixing went smoothly, with some highly emotional moments for the performers, engineers and attendants,” he said. “Now, the result is up for everyone to judge and hopefully enjoy.”
Movieguide®’s review of SOUND OF FREEDOM reads:
SOUND OF FREEDOM follows the inspiring true story of Tim Ballard, a former government agent who puts his life on the line to rescue hundreds of children from sex trafficking. After an operation that saves a young boy from trafficking, Tim learns the boy’s sister has also been sold into the sex trade. At first, he continues to operate under Homeland Security, but when funds run out, he takes matters into his own hands. With the help of a small team, Tim launches an investigation to save the boy’s sister, save many other children and bring the perpetrators to justice.
SOUND OF FREEDOM is gripping and heartbreaking, but hope-giving. The movie sheds light on the need for strong people to stand up for God’s children around the world who are caught in the vicious, abusive system of sex trafficking. SOUND OF FREEDOM has a strong Christian, moral worldview that promotes sacrifice and the message that “God’s children are not for sale.” MOVIEGUIDE® advises strong and extreme caution for the movie’s mature subject matter, implied and depicted violence, and abuse of children.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
