Leaving Neverland debuted at the Sundance Film Festival yesterday and received a standing ovation. Michael Jackson's estate addressed the film critics described as shocking. A statement released on the same day as the documentary accuses the production of focusing on false allegations against the singer while dismissing favorable testimonies.
According to the estate, Leaving Neverland is "the kind of tabloid character assassination Michael Jackson endured in life, and now in death." The statement qualifies the men featured in the production, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, as "two perjurers." This claim refers to sworn statements the pair had previously given, stating that Michael had never abused them. They cleared his name while the King of Pop was still alive and have clearly recanted after his death through this film. In 2005, Robson testified for Jackson's defense during the trial that concluded with the entertainer's acquittal on molestation charges.
The statement also slams the documentary for focusing on these two individuals and omitting those who have stood by Jackson in his defense over the years. "He treated children with respect and did nothing hurtful to them," they added. "The film takes uncorroborated allegations that supposedly happened 20 years ago and treats them as fact."