HBO has dropped the trailer of Leaving Neverland and it is taking the internet by storm. The film was earlier premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and received quite a lot of backlash from Michael Jackson fans. In the trailer of Leaving Neverland, choreographer Wade Ronson and computer programmer James Safechuck divulged into details of their time and experience of visiting Neverland Ranch.
The trailer starts with Wade talking about Neverland and Michael Jackson. "I was seven years old. Michael asked, 'Do you and the family want to come to Neverland?'" Wade recalled in the trailer. "The days were filled with magical childhood adventure experiences. Playing tag, watching movies, eating junk food: Anything you could ever want as a child." While he speaks, montages of pictures with Wade and Michael showcase on the screen. They start with how everything was jolly but soon turned dark as the story turned into them revealing that they were allegedly sexually abused by Michael Jackson.
In a statement released by the Jackson estate, it said, "This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson." The statement further added, "Wade Robson and James Safechuck have both testified under oath that Michael never did anything inappropriate toward them. Safechuck and Robson, the latter a self-proclaimed 'master of deception', filed lawsuits against Michael's Estate, asking for millions of dollars. Both lawsuits were dismissed. This so-called 'documentary' is just another rehash of dated and discredited allegations. It's baffling why any credible filmmaker would involve himself with this project."
Leaving Neverland trailer -
As per a statement by HBO, the official production house associated with Leaving Neverland, they said the documentary, "crafts a portrait of sustained abuse, exploring the complicated feelings that led both men to confront their experiences after both had a young son of his own."
Wade further alleged in the trailer, "He told me if they ever found out what we were doing, he and I would go to jail for the rest of our lives. I want to be able to speak the truth as loud as I had to speak the lie for so long." Directed by Dan Reed, the film is set to premiere on March 3rd and 4th on HBO.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 20, 2019 11:50 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).