Michael Jackson, whose music remains ubiquitous nearly a decade after his death, is under fresh scrutiny.
The singer's alleged sexual crimes are being re-examined in a four-hour documentary, Leaving Neverland, which screened Friday at the Sundance Film Festival.
Following the screening, Jackson's accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck stood on stage for a Q&A, where they were greeted with a "solemn" standing ovation.
In the two-part docuseries, now-adult Robson and Wade allege they were victims of sexual abuse at the hands of Jackson when they were children.
"We can't change what happened to us. And we can't do anything about Michael," Robson said in a Q&A.
A deeply emotional Wade Robson and James Safechuck receive a standing ovation after the screening of LEAVING NEVERLAND. There will be a lot to say later, but I can say this: This is a thorough, devastating, deeply credible piece of filmmaking. pic.twitter.com/U6UL2Lmnaz
— Adam B. Vary (@adambvary) January 25, 2019
The documentary is slated to air on HBO in the US and Channel 4 in the UK later this year.
High security screening
Leaving Neverland was shown under police presence, an unusual circumstance for the festival.
No protesters spotted at the premiere of "Leaving Neverland." And this is the police presence. #Sundance pic.twitter.com/OJfsAlHYCp
— Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) January 25, 2019
However, there was a smaller protest presence at the festival than expected, with police out-numbering the protesters at the Sundance screening.
During breaks from the screening, critics suggested that the allegations – based on accounts from Jackson’s accusers – may be explosive.
"It's so sexually explicit that counselors are in the lobby," Mara Reinstein, film critic at Us Weekly, said on Twitter.
For the music industry, the documentary brings a fresh test of how to deal with controversial artists. Just last week, Sony Corp's RCA label scrubbed R. Kelly from its lineup. The R&B singer was also the subject of a high-profile documentary, which included accounts of alleged sex crimes.
In the case of Jackson, the stakes may be higher. He’s one of the best-selling artists of all time and remains a staple of streaming services.
Denials from Jackson's estate
The artist's estate has sought to quash Leaving Neverland, and his official Twitter account slammed HBO for agreeing to air the film.
“In 1992, Michael gave HBO their highest-rated special ever,” the tweet read. “Now, to repay him they give a voice to admitted liars.”
In 1992, Michael gave HBO their highest rated special ever. Now, to repay him they give a voice to admitted liars. #StopLeavingNeverlandNOW pic.twitter.com/mR2BQfce4u
— Michael Jackson (@michaeljackson) January 17, 2019
"Tellingly, the director admitted at the Sundance Film Festival that he limited his interviews only to these accusers and their families. In doing so, he intentionally avoided interviewing numerous people over the years who spent significant time with Michael Jackson and have unambiguously stated that he treated children with respect and did nothing hurtful to them," Jim Bates, a spokesman for the estate, said in an emailed statement on Saturday.
And representatives from Jackson's estate went on to compare the documentary to “the kind of tabloid character assassination Michael Jackson endured in life, and now in death.”
