Every once in a while, there is a film at Sundance that transcends the movie-going experience - it is an event. "Leaving Neverland" has become one of those kind of films, gaining national attention because of its controversial subject matter, Michael Jackson and the allegations against him of pedophilia, and the horrifying revelations made by some of his accusers.
In my entire life I have never sat in a packed theater where there is absolute silence and stillness for an entire film. Never have I seen an audience leave a theater in such solemnity and so stunned. To say that "Leaving Neverland" is disturbing is an understatement of mammoth proportion. It is an absolutely shocking documentary that shows the terrifying process of "grooming" children by a pedophile; the duping of unwitting parents and families through the use of money, power, and fame; and the devastating after-effects of sexual abuse.
At the beginning of the movie, film-maker Dan Reed asks various individuals about their opinions about Michael Jackson. Every single person talks about his creative genius, incredible talent, generosity, and warmth. People who welcomed Michael Jackson into their lives describe their relationships with him like that of a "son," a "brother," or a "best friend." Then we hear from Wade Robson, internationally renown choreographer who got his start in the industry by winning a Michael Jackson dance contest at the age of 5 where his first prize included tickets to a Michael Jackson concert and a private meet-and-greet with the King of Pop. Robson and his entire family were embraced by Jackson who showered them with gifts, invited them all to stay at the Neverland Ranch, and introduced them to industry professionals who would forever change young Wade's life and steer his career. Of Jackson, Robson said that he was kind, gentle, loving, but that he also "sexually abused me for seven years."
The bomb was dropped.
Over the next four hours the audience is introduced to both the Robson and Safechuck families (James Safechuck appeared in an iconic Pepsi commercial with Jackson), and shown the methods which Jackson used to lure children and families to his Neverland estate, separate them from their parents, and develop a relationship of trust with young boys that eventually led to repeatedly sexually assaulting them. Encounters are described in graphic detail.
It is one thing to hear rumors. For many people, it has been easy to discount the alleged stories of Michael Jackson's abuse because he has been accused by individuals characterized as "money-grubbers" or "gold-diggers" who only seek to monetarily profit from their relationship with the super-star. Many celebrities and families have defended Michael Jackson's strange relationships with children, claiming that they have never witnessed any kind of inappropriate behavior, or that they themselves were never victims of abuse while sleeping in his bed.
It is quite another thing to hear out loud the suffering of those who have been repeated victims of sexual assault and manipulation; and to witness the affects that this abuse has had on their lives and the lives of their family members.
The last time I remember feeling this shaken was on September 11, 2001, when I saw terrorists hit the World Trade Center with an airplane, and watched as the towers crumbled to the ground. Hearing about Robson's and Safechuck's abuse was like watching that plane hit the tower, and listening to them and their families detail how the abuse happened and progressed was like watching the towers fall.
As a child of the 80‘s, I remember Michael Jackson’s meteoric rise to fame. I was in 6th grade when “Thriller” came out. I remember the day his hair caught on fire filming a Pepsi commercial. I had friends who collected posters and memorabilia. He was the absolute biggest star and icon for my generation. The only other person who came remotely close was Madonna. But while Madonna had a “bad girl“ reputation, Michael Jackson was viewed as a positive role model. He gave to charity. He raised awareness about social issues, particularly those that dealt with children. He co-wrote the seminal song “We Are the World.” The guy seemed to be a pop saint. But I’ll admit, as his career progressed, his behavior and his appearance became stranger and more erratic. As rumors and allegations of child sexual abusesurfaced, it was hard for many to accept. I remember interviews Jackson gave where he admitted to having “sleepovers” with children that were “sweet” and “innocent” and “magical.” He said they drank warm milk, ate cookies, and read stories. On the surface it might sound sweet, but in reality it was much more sinister.
The Michael Jackson estate has denounced the film saying, "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 to them." But after watching the film and listening to Mr. Robson and Mr. Safechuck at the talkback, neither seem to have much to gain by coming out against the pop star except inner peace for finally coming forward. They didn't seek out filmmaker Dan Reed, and neither of them are "cashing in" on their stories. Since the film released, both gentlemen's lives have been turned upside-down, and both have received death threats. (Security was extremely high at the screening of this film. There was a strong police force that included bomb sniffing dogs. Audience members had to be "wanded" before entering the theater.)
Robson said that his motivation for doing this film was that he could "hopefully be able to raise any level of awareness for parents and teachers or anybody who has the obligation to protect children." Safechuck said that this was his "Chance to shed light on abuse and hopefully do some good." Both have regrets about not coming forward sooner, but have said that the abuse was powerful and that it has taken them years to build the courage to tell the truth about their relationships with the King of Pop.
In 2016, Sundance showed Spike Lee's documentary, "Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall." It was an amazing portrait of a creative genius who overcame race and overwhelming obstacles to become a pop superstar. "Leaving Neverland" shows a very different side of the same artist - an evil and dark side that most people have never acknowledged existed and that needs to be seen in the light of day. This is one of the best documentaries I've ever seen, but it is also one of the hardest films I've ever watched.
"Leaving Neverland" Broadway Centre Cinema Saturday, January 26, 2019
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