The studio behind last year’s unexpected hit “Sound of Freedom” defended a partnership with conservative website The Daily Wire to promote “Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” following complaints by actress Letitia Wright, an executive producer of the film.
“Sound of Hope” is based on the true story of a Christian couple in Texas who adopted 77 children from foster care. The distributor, Angel Studios, framed the film as a spiritual sequel to “Sound of Freedom,” which starred Jim Caviezel as a real-life former federal law enforcement official who combats human trafficking.
On the day “Sound of Hope” received its full theatrical release, Matt Walsh, a Daily Wire commentator and podcaster, posted on social media about the inspiration for the movie and added that “leftists are trying to stop Christians from saving more children.”
In a series of posts on the social platform X, Walsh then condemned states that he said had prevented adoptions by parents who declined to recognize gender transition in children. He detailed two cases involving lawsuits in Oregon and Vermont.
Wright, whose acting credits include “Black Panther” and “Ready Player One,” said on social media days later that she did “not condone using this beautiful film for divisive political purposes.”
“This story isn’t about politics, it’s about children,” she posted. “It’s about sacrificial love for children who have experienced unthinkable horrors.”
She added, “Any conversation that detracts from that is unnecessary and harmful.”
Several of those involved suggested that the controversy is an example of the tension between a right-leaning, faith-based segment of the moviegoing public and a more progressive entertainment industry that is often accused of overlooking that audience.
Jordan Harmon, president of Angel Studios, said in a statement last week that “Angel Studios is grateful for both Letitia and Daily Wire’s partnership on getting this story out into the world.” In a separate statement, the filmmakers apologized to Wright for not informing her of the association with The Daily Wire while noting that there were “real efforts to prevent families of faith from adopting.”
The CEO of The Daily Wire, Jeremy Boreing, declined to discuss details of the partnership with Angel Studios. He said in an interview Monday that while the film was screened early for the company’s employees, Walsh’s posts were made in a personal capacity and not as part of the formal association.
Boreing, who co-founded The Daily Wire with Ben Shapiro, chided Wright for “doing the thing she said she didn’t want to see done — creating polarizing content around the film.” He added: “I think she felt cultural pressure to do it, because she occupies a space within a system that is more hostile to conservatives than affirming of the good that ‘Sound of Hope’ is attempting to do.”
A representative for Wright did not reply to a request for comment.
Though “Sound of Hope” was independently produced, Angel Studios distributed the movie through a crowdfunding model in which “angel investors” select movies to distribute and market, funding those expenses in exchange for revenue-sharing.
The studio, based in Provo, Utah, scored its biggest success last year by picking up the distribution rights for “Sound of Freedom,” which brought in $250 million worldwide, making it one of the most successful independent movies ever.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.