‘Leaving Neverland’ premiered at the Sundance Film Festival Friday night and immediately afterward, the estate of music icon #MichaelJackson publicly denounced the film, claiming it’s “the kind of tabloid character assassination Michael Jackson endured in life, and now in death.”
The estate accuses the film of putting too much emphasis on #WadeRobson and #JamesSafechuck, ignoring the people who spent significant time with Jackson and attested that “he treated children with respect and did nothing hurtful to them.”
In a statement released by the estate, Robson and Safechuck are called “two perjurers,” in reference to the sworn statements the men gave when Jackson was alive stating he had not abused them. Robson testified in Jackson’s defense at the 2005 trial, which ended with the pop star’s acquittal on molestation charges.
The statement from the estate claims, “The film takes uncorroborated allegations that supposedly happened 20 years ago and treats them as fact.”
The four-hour documentary will air on HBO later this year.
