One of the bigger stories coming into this year’s Sundance Film Festival is the number of threats and protests that surrounded the Michael Jackson documentary “Leaving Neverland.” With Jackson’s diehard fans outraged over the film, which delves into two detailed accounts of sexual abuse of underage boys by the singer, there were people wondering if “Leaving Neverland” would even be shown. Alas, it was and now, the Jackson Family has come out to condemn the doc.
In a statement (via Variety), the Jackson Family calls the film a “public lynching,” and says the doc is full of lies that were given by the two subjects of the film, Wade Robson and James Safechuck.
“Michael always turned the other cheek, and we have always turned the other cheek when people have gone after members of our family – that is the Jackson way,” reads a portion of the statement. “But we can’t just stand by while this public lynching goes on, and the vulture tweeters and others who never met Michael go after him. Michael is not here to defend himself, otherwise these allegations would not have been made.”
The statement continues, “The creators of this film were not interested in the truth. They never interviewed a single solitary soul who knew Michael except the two perjurers and their families. That is not journalism, and it’s not fair, yet the media are perpetuating these stories.”
The four-hour documentary seems to have had a big Sundance premiere, with critics being kind to the film. Our own review called the film “impressive.” “Leaving Neverland” has already been picked up by HBO, and will air sometime in the spring.
The full statement from the Jackson Family is below:
“Michael Jackson is our brother and son. We are furious that the media, who without a shred of proof or single piece of physical evidence, chose to believe the word of two admitted liars over the word of hundreds of families and friends around the world who spent time with Michael, many at Neverland, and experienced his legendary kindness and global generosity. We are proud of what Michael Jackson stands for.
People have always loved to go after Michael. He was an easy target because he was unique. But Michael was subjected to a thorough investigation which included a surprise raid of Neverland and other properties as well as a jury trial where Michael was found to be COMPLETELY INNOCENT. There has never been one piece of proof of anything. Yet the media is eager to believe these lies.
Michael always turned the other cheek, and we have always turned the other cheek when people have gone after members of our family – that is the Jackson way. But we can’t just stand by while this public lynching goes on, and the vulture tweeters and others who never met Michael go after him. Michael is not here to defend himself, otherwise these allegations would not have been made.
The creators of this film were not interested in the truth. They never interviewed a single solitary soul who knew Michael except the two perjurers and their families. That is not journalism, and it’s not fair, yet the media are perpetuating these stories.
But the truth is on our side. Go do your research about these opportunists. The facts don’t lie, people do. Michael Jackson was and always will be 100% innocent of these false allegations.
The Jackson Family”