The first trailer of the four-hour documentary film ‘Leaving Neverland’ released on Wednesday and the story about child abuse and molestation is really devastating. The film will make you think twice about the “King of Pop” and one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century Michael Jackson.
The film was premiered at the Sundance Film Festival where it received a standing ovation.
The documentary is based on the story of two men James Safechuck and Wade Robson who claim that they were sexually abused by Jackson when they were little and living with him at his mansion named “Neverland” on his invitation. The documentary also includes interviews with the two men, their mothers, wives and other members of their families.
While Jackson’s family called the two men “perjurers” as the two had earlier testified that Jackson never molested them. But after the singer’s death, they came out with their side of the story and changed their statements saying that they were actually molested by Michael.
Director Dan Reed earlier told The Hollywood Reporter, “I didn’t characterize Jackson at all in the film — I think if you watch it you’ll have noticed that it’s a story about these two families and Jackson is an element of that story. But I don’t seek to characterize him at all. I don’t comment on Jackson. It’s not a film about Michael. The film itself is an account of sexual abuse, how sexual abuse happens and then how the consequences play out later in life.”