Analysis of 'Leaving Neverland'

 Leaving Neverland

Leaving Neverland is a 2019 documentary film directed and produced by British filmmaker Dan Reed. It focuses on two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who allege they were sexually abused as children by the American singer Michael Jackson.

Leaving Neverland triggered a media backlash against Jackson and a reassessment of his legacy. However, it boosted sales of his music. Some dismissed the film as one-sided and questioned its veracity; the Jackson estate condemned it as a "tabloid character assassination", while Jackson's fans organised protests. Michael Jackson: Chase the Truth, a documentary challenging the allegations of Leaving Neverland and asserting omissions and inconsistencies in that account, was released in August on Amazon Prime Video.

This documentary was very controversial because when Jackson died the children that he had allegedly abused came forward and ignored the contract they had with Jackson and his lawyers. As there is no real evidence this documentary is all about the survivors speaking up and finally having their say.

I really enjoyed this documentary as is wasn't just going through his attacks, they spoke about how he welcomed them into his family and how he welcomed the victims families as well. The cinematography in this is amazing they go from interviews when they are describing the scene to then a shot of where it happened or a picture of Michael with the children, this makes it so realistic and made us imagine and be in that situation of a big star wanting to be friends with you, no one would say no.

It only takes about two minutes into the four-hour documentary 'Leaving Neverland' to realise that Michael Jackson's legacy is never going to be the same again. After a brief introduction, praising him for his indisputable talent, one of his accusers looks into the camera with direct address and lists the ways in which the singer help him. He then states, "And he sexually abused me for seven years", this engages that audience into feeling his emotions.

It's James who first describes hi recollection of their friendship turning sexual with Jackson allegedly introducing him to masturbation. He saw it as a form of "bonding" and it kicked off what he describes as a "sexual couple relationship" when the two were left alone, allowed to share hotel rooms by James's unaware mother. The stories progress into even darker territory as she would find her hotel rooms being booked on different floors, Jackson making sure to prevent any potential discovery. James recalls that he woke on one occasion to find Jackson saying that while he was asleep, he had performed oral sex on him. He also told the boy that he was Jackson's first sexual experience and that this was just an "acceptable way of experiencing your love". 

In one of the most chilling scenes in this documentary, James Safechuck recalls the mock wedding him and Michael has, complete with a wedding ring which he still owns and showed to the camera. He claims Jackson would reward him with jewellery for engaging in sexual acts with him. "It's still hard for me to not blame myself," he says, with his hands shaking as he holds the many trinkets.

This documentary really got to me, I have never felt so uncomfortable watching something and knowing that he got away with it, this documentary was an emotional rollercoaster and captured the audiences emotions and it takes them away from everyday life. Even though this documentary got a lot of backlash from Jackson's fans and thought it was amazing and this gives me a lot of inspiration for interviews and different shots.