The Latest: Jackson estate denounces Sundance documentary
FILE - In this May 25, 2005 file photo, Michael Jackson arrives at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse for his child molestation trial in Santa Maria, Calif. A documentary film about two boys who accused Michael Jackson of sexual abuse is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival later this month. The Sundance Institute announced the addition of “Leaving Neverland” and “The Brink,” a documentary about Steve Bannon, to its 2019 lineup on Wednesday. The Sundance Film Festival kicks off on Jan 24 and runs through Feb. 4. (Aaron Lambert/Santa Maria Times via AP, Pool)
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the Sundance Film Festival’s addition of a documentary featuring Michael Jackson’s accusers (all times local):
5:15 p.m.
The estate of Michael Jackson is denouncing a documentary about two of his sexual-abuse accusers that will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival later this month, calling it “just another rehash of dated and discredited allegations.”
The estate said in a statement Wednesday that the documentary “Leaving Neverland” ”is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson.”
The Sundance Institute announced earlier Wednesday that the documentary had been added to the festival lineup.
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The film tells the story of two men now in their 30s who had long-running relationships with Jackson at ages 7 and 10 when Jackson was at the height of his fame.
Jackson was acquitted of molestation charges in a 2005 trial.
An after-hours email to a representative seeking comment from the film’s director, Dan Reed, wasn’t immediately returned.
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1:15 p.m.
A documentary film about two boys who accused Michael Jackson of sexual abuse is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival later this month.
The Sundance Institute announced the addition of “Leaving Neverland” and “The Brink,” a documentary about Steve Bannon, to its 2019 lineup on Wednesday.
A description of “Leaving Neverland” says it will tell the story of two men who are now in their 30s and began long-running relationships with Jackson at ages 7 and 10 when Jackson was at the height of his fame. The names of the Jackson accusers profiled in the documentary were not released. Jackson was acquitted of molestation charges in 2005.
The film is produced and directed by BAFTA-winning director Dan Reed.
The Sundance Film Festival kicks off on Jan 24 and runs through Feb. 4.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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