Can faith be found in the worst of circumstances, and can God prevail in the most impossible situations? Miracles still happen in George A. Johnson’s faith-based drama, Pursuit of Freedom.
Anna is a Ukrainian mother of three whose deadbeat husband owes a lot of money to a local mob boss. When her husband can’t pay, the mobster abducts Anna forcing her into prostitution and sexual slavery. In the meantime, Anna’s husband flees, leaving the three children with her mother. Evading suspicion from the police, she takes them into hiding in Armenia.
After years of enslavement, Anna becomes ill and no longer attractive to male clients. Passed out and left for dead on the road, Anna awakens days later in a hospital in Amsterdam, tended by the compassionate nurse Naomi (Sharonne Lanier). As Anna recovers, Naomi reads her Bible passages and converts Anna to Christianity.
Now Anna is determined to reunite with her missing children, but because Anna has no documentation and no idea where her children are, there’s nothing anyone can do…except God, of course. Anna’s plight inspires Naomi to set off a seemingly random chain of events to find her children, starting with a call to an American pastor (Mark Lowry). Along the way, a missionary Bedros (Stelio Savante), takes up the mantle to find Anna’s children in Amenia in a literal needle in a haystack situation.
“…takes up the mantle to find Anna’s children in Amenia in a literal needle in a haystack situation.”
Let’s be abundantly clear, Pursuit of Freedom is unmistakably a faith-based movie. I’ve seen more than my fair share of faith films over my lifetime, and its overriding message of faith in God, specifically Christianity, is on full display. I mention this not because it’s a bad thing but merely to manage expectations. Look, Pursuit of Freedom is meant to be a witnessing tool to bring people to Christ, and as a Christian myself, that’s not a bad thing.
On the other hand, I review films…all films. Unfortunately, the mid-range indie budget, average acting skills, and deeply religious message keep Pursuit of Freedom from breaking into mainstream movie theaters. But, as a faith-based film, it’s a good one.
Inspired by a true story, the story’s central focus is on the miracles that can happen through faith in God and Jesus Christ. The film’s themes work itself around the idea of providence and “all things work together for the good of those who love God.” At the same time, it’s a call for people to have faith and believe that all we need to do as people is do what’s morally right and compassionate, and God will do the rest.
I believe the story’s primary focus is on how God brings the right people in at the right time for his good works. Anna fights her way through the worst of humanity, corrupt police, and an insurmountable level of bureaucracy to show that being with her children is more than pure coincidence.
What I like about Pursuit of Freedom is that aspect of Christianity that I found attractive in my youth—loving your neighbor and risking your life for the sake of the less fortunate. There’s also the idea that there are still good people out there who could care less about your skin color, gender, or political party and help solely because you are in need.
Let’s be brutally honest, I don’t think Pursuit of Freedom will find an audience beyond the faith crowd, but then again, God works in mysterious ways. Who am I to question that?
Pursuit of Freedom makes its theatrical release on September 16, 2022.
