"It has come to our attention that some of you may have received messages or social media posts from Michael Jackson fans who would like us to pull the screening of 'Leaving Neverland,'" a statement reads. The Sundance Film Festival has issued a statement to its corporate partners notifying them it will not be removing the documentary “Leaving Neverland” from its official 2019 lineup. The latest documentary feature from Dan Reed, “Leaving Neverland” investigates allegations of sexual abuse and child molestation against Michael Jackson, told through the personal stories of two of Jackson’s alleged victims. Sundance announced the film was joining the 2019 lineup on January 9. In a statement to corporate partners, Sundance wrote, “It has come to our attention that some of you may have received messages or social media posts from Michael Jackson fans who would like us to pull the screening of ‘Leaving Neverland.’ Sundance Institute supports artists in enabling them to fully tell bold, independent stories, stories on topics which can be provocative or challenging. We look forward to audiences at the Festival seeing these films and judging the work for themselves, and discussing it afterwards.” Sundance continued, “We don’t currently plan to comment publicly or engage in the discourse around ‘Leaving Neverland,’ and would recommend that you do the same. We plan to proceed with the screening as announced. If you do plan to participate in the conversation, we’d welcome the opportunity to collaborate on your messaging.” “Leaving Neverland” has already been condemned by Michael Jackson’s official estate. Following the news of the movie premiering at Sundance, the estate issued its own statement: “This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson…Wade Robson and James Safechuck have both testified under oath that Michael never did anything inappropriate toward them. This so called ‘documentary’ is just another rehash of dated and discredited allegations. It’s baffling why any credible filmmaker would involve himself with this project.” HBO and Chanel 4 co-produced “Leaving Neverland.” The former is set to debut the documentary on its network this spring. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.<doc-sep>Michael Jackson prepares to enter the Santa Barbara County Superior Court to hear the verdict read in his child molestation case June 13, 2005 in Santa Maria, California. After seven days of deliberation the jury has reached a not guilty verdict on all 10 counts in the trial against Michael Jackson. Jackson was charged in a 10-count indictment with molesting a boy, plying him with liquor and conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. He pleaded innocent. Photo : Kevork Djansezian-Pool ( Getty Images ) The term “problematic faves” has effectively inserted itself in pop culture. But the work of reconciling with the possibility that people you once idolized are not only imperfect, but nefarious, is very real. Advertisement While the recent release of Lifetime’s Surviving R. Kelly may be the most recent example of that internal war for some people, in reality, the case of Michael Jackson may be the most polarizing. Leaving Neverland, a documentary chronicling serious accusations of the late pop legend allegedly sexually molesting two young boys is set to premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, according to Rolling Stone. The film’s runtime is 236 minutes — nearly four hours of footage. Per the film’s synopsis, via Sundance’s site: At the height of his stardom Michael Jackson began long-running relationships with two boys, aged 7 and 10, and their families. Now in their 30s, they tell the story of how they were sexually abused by Jackson, and how they came to terms with it years later. Whew, shit. Of course, allegations against Jackson aren’t new, but it is important to note that a documentary spotlighting accusations during this particular time period—the era of #MeToo and #TimesUp—is especially significant. Jackson’s estate has commented on the documentary world premiere announcement, citing the names of two particular men, despite their names not being mentioned on Sundance’s website. Advertisement “This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson,” said the King of Pop’s estate, via E! Online. “Wade Robson and James Safechuck have both testified under oath that Michael never did anything inappropriate toward them. Safechuck and Robson, the latter a self-proclaimed ‘master of deception’, filed lawsuits against Michael’s Estate, asking for millions of dollars. Both lawsuits were dismissed.” Robson, a choreographer, made “child sexual abuse operation” claims against Jackson’s companies MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures in 2016. A judge later dismissed the case in December 2017. According to New York Daily News, Safechuck filed an amended complaint with similar accusations. Advertisement Robson also claimed Jackson abused him from the age of 7 until he was 14, filing a child molestation case against Jackson’s estate in 2013. It was dismissed in 2015. Robson and Safechuck have not publicly commented on the documentary at this time. The estate went on to discredit the very existence of the film. Advertisement “This so called ‘documentary’ is just another rehash of dated and discredited allegations,” the estate added. “It’s baffling why any credible filmmaker would involve himself with this project.” Damn. This is a lot. It’s safe to say there will be extremely difficult conversations around this documentary as well, especially once it expands beyond the festival circuit. I suspect it’ll land a distributor very soon, if it isn’t in talks already. Advertisement By the way, Sundance is also premiering a documentary on R. Kelly-apologists’ favorite swerve citing Harvey Weinstein, chronicling his sexual assault allegations in a film entitled Untouchable, in case you were sooooo concerned about that. Leaving Neverland is set to have its world premiere on Jan. 25 with a follow-up screening on Jan. 26. For more information, head to Sundance.org. Advertisement Update: 1/11/2019, 8:30 a.m. ET: As suspected, Leaving Neverland has already found its distributor, pre-premiere. HBO has picked up the documentary, per the network’s press release. Advertisement “If there’s anything we’ve learned during this time in our history, it’s that sexual abuse is complicated, and survivors’ voices need to be listened to,” noted the film’s director, Dan Reed. “It took great courage for these two men to tell their stories and I have no question about their validity. I believe anyone who watches this film will see and feel the emotional toll on the men and their families and will appreciate the strength it takes to confront long-held secrets.” Advertisement The premiere cable network co-produced the film with Channel 4 and both networks will air Leaving Neverland in spring 2019.<doc-sep>The “Thriller” performer, who died in 2009, faced multiple accusations of child sexual abuse over the course of his career. He was acquitted of all charges in 2005 at the end of a highly publicized trial that stemmed from allegations he molested a 13-year-old boy.<doc-sep>
The Sundance Film Festival has added the world premiere of the documentary “Leaving Neverland,” which focuses on sexual abuse allegations against the late pop star Michael Jackson. The movie, produced and directed by Dan Reed, describes how Jackson allegedly began long-running relationships with two boys, aged 7 and 10, and their families while at the peak of his fame. The two, now in their 30s, claim that they were sexually abused by Jackson, and reveal how they came to terms with it years later. Representatives for the Jackson estate issued a one-sentence statement in response to Wednesday’s announcement: “This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson.” “Neverland” refers to the Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara County, Calif., where Jackson lived between 1988 and 2003. The property was raided by law enforcement in 2003 in connection with molestation accusations against Jackson by a 13-year-old boy. Jackson was acquitted by jurors of all 14 criminal counts against him in state court in 2005. “Leaving Neverland” will screen in the special event category at the festival in two parts, totaling nearly four hours, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. “Through gut-wrenching interviews with the now-adult men and their families, ‘Leaving Neverland’ crafts a portrait of sustained exploitation and deception, documenting the power of celebrity that allowed a revered figure to infiltrate the lives of starstruck children and their parents,” the synopsis reads. Reed’s credits include HBO’s “Terror”; “The Paedophile Hunter”; docudrama “Shooters,” featuring a cast of real-life underworld gunmen; the war documentary “The Valley”; and money-laundering story “From Russia With Cash.” Sundance also added the world premiere of the Steve Bannon documentary “The Brink,” directed by Alison Klayman and produced by Marie Therese Guirgis. The film focuses on the former White House chief strategist traveling around the world, spreading his hard-line anti-immigration message. Magnolia Pictures just acquired the pic. The two additions bring the number of movies for Sundance to 241 projects, from 49 countries. The festival launches on Jan. 24.