Michael Jackson Documentary Premiere At Sundance Draws Intense Reactions

Ahead of the premiere of Leaving Neverland, over 12 police officers were sent to the Egyptian Theater in Park City, Utah to monitor protests and minimize disruptions at the controversial documentary's screening.

Leaving Neverland has a four-hour runtime and details abuse allegations against Michael Jackson from Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who were children at the time of the alleged sexual abuse. Before the screening began, the audience was informed that health care professionals would be present for counseling due to the graphic and horrifying descriptions of Robson's and Safechuck's experiences.

Among the many allegations in Leaving Neverland, Safechuck says Jackson performed a mock wedding with him when he was 9 years old and that the singer would run drills with him to avoid getting caught in the act. Robson and Safechuck both allege that they endured many acts of sexual abuse at the hands of Jackson. Following the screening, film critics took to social media to share their intense reactions to what they had seen.

Feel sick to my stomach after watching Part 1 of #LeavingNeverland doc. Michael Jackson witnesses/sex abuse victims coming off very credible. It’s so sexually explicit that counselors are in the lobby. #SundanceFilmFestival2019

— Mara Reinstein (@MaraReinstein) January 25, 2019

At the midpoint of LEAVING NEVERLAND, audience seems slightly shellshocked. There are not enough Silkwood showers in the world to get rid of the feeling I have watching this. #Sundance19

— David Fear (@davidlfear) January 25, 2019

Jackson's estate released a statement that said it's "the kind of character assassination Michael Jackson endured in life, and now in death... The film takes uncorroborated allegations that supposedly happened 20 years ago and treats them as fact. These claims were the basis of lawsuits filed by these two admitted liars, which were ultimately dismissed by a judge."

During an interview with USA Today, Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed responded to the statement and said, "How can you call a four-hour documentary a 'tabloid'? That beats me... The statement contains nothing that is of concern and no substantial criticism of the film. They obviously haven't seen it, and I'm not engaging with the substance of what they're saying."

Viewers will be able to come to their own conclusions when the documentary airs on Channel 4 this spring.