Michael Jackson doc Leaving Neverland is 'disturbing and devastating'

Image copyrightGetty Images

Michael Jackson gave a young boy jewellery in exchange for sexual acts, according to new documentary Leaving Neverland.

The "devasting and disturbing" film has been shown at The Sundance Film festival in Utah, America.

It focuses on two men who claim Michael Jackson had abused them as children.

His estate deny the claims saying it's "an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in" on the singer, who died in 2009.

USA Today reporter Patrick Ryan was at the world premiere on Friday.

Skip Twitter post by @PatRyanWrites

Among the many, many disturbing revelations of #LeavingNeverland: MJ gave one of his young male victims jewelry in exchange for sexual acts, and even staged a mock wedding complete with vows and diamond ring. #Sundance2019

— Patrick Ryan (@PatRyanWrites) January 25, 2019

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End of Twitter post by @PatRyanWrites

Wade Robson and James Safechuck say they were aged seven and 10 when the singer befriended them and their families.

Now in their 30s, they claim they were sexually abused by Michael Jackson.

He always denied the allegations when he was alive.

Police raided his Neverland Ranch in California in 2003 while investigating claims he had molested a 13-year-old boy.

The case went to trial and Wade Robson was a main witness for him. He said under oath that the singer never abused him and Michael Jackson was acquitted of all charges in 2005.

Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage caption Wade Robson used to perform alongside Michael Jackson when he was a child

Since then Wade Robson has become a father and in an interview in May last year he said after two nervous breakdowns he finally revealed to his therapist the dark secret he'd been hiding.

"It was just pain and disgust and anger, the idea something like that could happen to my son."

'Credible filmmaking'

The two-part film is directed by Dan Reed and the synopsis reads: "Through gut-wrenching interviews with the now-adult men and their families, Leaving Neverland crafts a portrait of sustained exploitation and deception."

Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage caption British filmmaker Dan Reed also made Terror in Mumbai and The Paedophile Hunter

Reporter Adam B Vary watched it and posted afterwards: "A deeply emotional Wade Robson and James Safechuck receive a standing ovation after the screening of Leaving Neverland. There will be a lot to say later, but I can say this: This is a thorough, devastating, deeply credible piece of filmmaking."

Skip Twitter post by @OriginalFresca

Leaving Neverland has left people appalled and wondering how Michael Jackson got acquitted. And weve only seen part one so far #Sundance2019

— Francesca Bacardi (@OriginalFresca) January 25, 2019

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End of Twitter post by @OriginalFresca

Keith Turnan, a film critic for the LA Times posted: "A #sundancefilmfestival first: introducing the screening of the disturbing "Leaving Neverland" Michael Jackson documentary, fest topper John Cooper announced "there will be health care professionals" in the Egyptian Theater lobby if needed. This is one intense film."

And film critic for US Weekly Mara Reinstein put: "Shaking. Wow. We were all wrong when we cheered for Michael Jackson."

Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage caption Fans turned the entrance to Neverland into a shrine after the singer died

Because of Wade Robson and James Safechuck's previous support of Michael Jackson and claims that he never molested them, his fans have asked the festival to pull it, while his own estate has hit back at the project in a statement: "The film takes uncorroborated allegations that supposedly happened 20 years ago and treats them as fact.

"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."

They go on to say that because the filmmaker purposefully decided not to interview anyone else other than the two men and their families he "neglected fact checking so he could craft a narrative so blatantly one-sided that viewers never get anything close to a balanced portrait."

The documentary will be shown on Channel 4 in Spring 2019.

Michael Jackson always denied any abuse allegations while he was alive.

He died on 25 June 2009 aged 50 after receiving a lethal dose of the anaesthetic propofol.

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