Note: This article comprises references to baby sexual abuse and rape that some readers could discover disturbing.
Leaving Neverland is a brand new two-part documentary that follows two males, Wade Robson and James Safechuck (now of their 30s), who state they have been sexually abused within the 1990s by Michael Jackson. The 4 hour documentary debuted on the Sundance Film Festival yesterday, January 25. During the premiere, extra particulars round Jackson’s alleged misconduct with the boys have been introduced ahead by way of interviews, reportedly together with cases of Jackson having anal intercourse with them and operating drills to educate them into preserving the abuse a secret.
Now, the Michael Jackson property has issued a brand new assertion condemning the documentary, calling the alleged victims “perjurers.” (Robson and Safechuck each reportedly declare within the documentary that Jackson threatened them to testify on his behalf throughout his baby molestation trial within the early 2000s. They each testified that he was harmless.) “The two accusers testified under oath that these events never occurred. They have provided no independent evidence and absolutely no proof in support of their accusations, which means the entire film hinges solely on the word of two perjurers,” says the property. The full assertion reads:
Leaving Neverland isn’t a documentary, it’s the type of tabloid character assassination Michael Jackson endured in life, and now in loss of life. The movie takes uncorroborated allegations that supposedly occurred 20 years in the past and treats them as truth. These claims have been the idea of lawsuits filed by these two admitted liars which have been finally dismissed by a decide. The two accusers testified underneath oath that these occasions by no means occurred. They have offered no impartial proof and completely no proof in assist of their accusations, which implies your complete movie hinges solely on the phrase of two perjurers. Tellingly, the director admitted on the Sundance Film Festival that he restricted his interviews solely to those accusers and their households. In doing so, he deliberately prevented interviewing quite a few individuals through the years who spent vital time with Michael Jackson and have unambiguously said that he handled youngsters with respect and did nothing hurtful to them. By selecting to not embrace any of those impartial voices who may problem the narrative that he was decided to promote, the director uncared for truth checking so he may craft a story so blatantly one-sided that viewers by no means get something near a balanced portrait.
For 20 years Wade Robson denied in court docket and in quite a few interviews, together with after Michael handed, that he was a sufferer and said he was grateful for every part Michael had carried out for him. His household benefitted from Michael’s kindness, generosity and profession assist up till Michael’s loss of life. Conveniently not noted of Leaving Neverland was the truth that when Robson was denied a task in a Michael Jackson themed Cirque du Soleil manufacturing, his assault allegations abruptly emerged.
We are extraordinarily sympathetic to any reputable sufferer of kid abuse. This movie, nevertheless, does these victims a disservice. Because regardless of all of the disingenuous denials made that this isn’t about cash, it has at all times been about cash – thousands and thousands of {dollars} — courting again to 2013 when each Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who share the identical regulation agency, launched their unsuccessful claims towards Michael’s Estate. Now that Michael is now not right here to defend himself, Robson, Safechuck and their attorneys proceed their efforts to realize notoriety and a payday by smearing him with the identical allegations a jury discovered him harmless of when he was alive.
Shortly after the movie was introduced, the Jackson property responded, “This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson.” The assertion concluded, “It’s baffling why any credible filmmaker would involve himself with this project.” Leading as much as the premiere, the pageant’s organizers and native police have been preparing towards threats and protests.
Leaving Neverland was directed and produced by Dan Reed (The Paedophile Hunter, Three Days of Terror: The Charlie Hebdo Attacks). It’s set to premiere on HBO and the UK’s Channel four this spring.
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