Despite Fan Outrage, Sundance Will Still Premiere Upcoming Michael Jackson Abuse Doc 'Leaving Neverland'

Michael Jackson has been dead for almost 10 years and his fans are apparently as rabid as ever. The King of Pop is back in the limelight thanks to the recent announcement that the upcoming Sundance Film Festival would feature the documentary “Leaving Neverland,” which takes aim, yet again, at the plethora of sexual misconduct allegations that were levied against Jackson over his lifetime. And those Michael Jackson fans are not having it.

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According to a new statement (via IndieWire) aimed at corporate partners that are feeling the heat from Jackson’s fans, the Sundance Film Festival is not backing down from the choice to premiere the highly-anticipated documentary (which has already been acquired by HBO). In fact, according to Sundance, this outrage from Jackson fans is not even anything they would ever take into consideration because the festival is all about filmmakers being able to express themselves through their art.

“Sundance Institute supports artists in enabling them to fully tell bold, independent stories, stories on topics which can be provocative or challenging,” the statement reads. “We look forward to audiences at the Festival seeing these films and judging the work for themselves, and discussing it afterwards.”

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The statement continues, “We plan to proceed with the screening as announced.”

This controversy seems to stem from a statement that was released by the Michael Jackson estate, which condemned the movie. The official statement read, “This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson…Wade Robson and James Safechuck have both testified under oath that Michael never did anything inappropriate toward them. This so called ‘documentary’ is just another rehash of dated and discredited allegations. It’s baffling why any credible filmmaker would involve himself with this project.”

People will be able to see what all the fuss is about when “Leaving Neverland” takes part in the Sundance Film Festival later this month and premieres on HBO in the spring.

Here’s the full statement from Sundance:

“It has come to our attention that some of you may have received messages or social media posts from Michael Jackson fans who would like us to pull the screening of ‘Leaving Neverland.’ Sundance Institute supports artists in enabling them to fully tell bold, independent stories, stories on topics which can be provocative or challenging. We look forward to audiences at the Festival seeing these films and judging the work for themselves, and discussing it afterwards. We don’t currently plan to comment publicly or engage in the discourse around ‘Leaving Neverland,’ and would recommend that you do the same. We plan to proceed with the screening as announced. If you do plan to participate in the conversation, we’d welcome the opportunity to collaborate on your messaging.”