The recently released biopic “Michael,” focusing on the life of Michael Jackson, has faced significant criticism from Dan Reed, the director of the 2019 documentary “Leaving Neverland.” This documentary detailed allegations of child sexual abuse made against Jackson by Wade Robson and James Safechuck.
In a recent interview with Variety, Reed, who reportedly received death threats after “Leaving Neverland” was broadcast, stated, “What the movie does is creates a version of events that essentially portrays Wade, James and others who’ve accused Jackson of child sexual abuse as liars without actually articulating it.”
Reed believes the film deliberately sidesteps the sensitive issue of Jackson’s relationships with children, presenting a narrative that dismisses the abuse claims without directly confronting them. He argues that the biopic attempts to recast the serious allegations as fabrications, thus creating a misleading portrayal of the events documented in “Leaving Neverland.”
English Translation:
Michael Jackson Biopic Criticized for Creating a ‘False Narrative’ Around Abuse Allegations
The recently released biopic “Michael,” focusing on the life of Michael Jackson, has faced significant criticism from Dan Reed, the director of the 2019 documentary “Leaving Neverland.” This documentary detailed allegations of child sexual abuse made against Jackson by Wade Robson and James Safechuck.
In a recent interview with Variety, Reed, who reportedly received death threats after “Leaving Neverland” was broadcast, stated, “What the movie does is creates a version of events that essentially portrays Wade, James and others who’ve accused Jackson of child sexual abuse as liars without actually articulating it.”
Reed believes the film deliberately sidesteps the sensitive issue of Jackson’s relationships with children, presenting a narrative that dismisses the abuse claims without directly confronting them. He argues that the biopic attempts to recast the serious allegations as fabrications, thus creating a misleading portrayal of the events documented in “Leaving Neverland.”