Dan Reed — the director ofLeaving Neverland, a two-part documentary about child-molestation allegations against the lateMichael Jackson— is opening up about the decision to include explicit details in the film.
During a Friday morning interview on theTodayshow, co-hostSavannah Guthrieasked the filmmaker why he chose that route, calling the information “incredibly graphic” with “no euphemisms whatsoever.”
Reed said he believes Jackson’s true actions againstWade Robson and Jimmy Safechuck, the two men in the film who allege they endured abuse as children, as well as potentially other boys, went unchecked for too long under the guise of the singer wanting to “[live] out his childhood” with young boys. And Reed wants to tell their version of the full story.
“For many years, Michael Jackson kind of hid in plain sight,” said Reed. “He portrayed himself as someone who never had a childhood and therefore was living out his childhood very much in the public eye — he’d be seen everywhere holding hands with a little boy — and he said that his interest in little boys was entirely innocent.”
“He admitted that he slept, spent nights with them, but nothing happened,” Reed continued. “And so for many years, the public bought into this. Everyone bought into this. And he was able to spend so much time in the company of little childrenwithout people thinking there was anything strangeabout this.”
Vince Bucci/Getty; Inset: NBC
Michael Jackson and Wade Robson.HBO
“Michael’s training of me to testify began the first night that he started abusing me,” Robson alleged during aCBS This Morninginterview that aired Thursday morning. “He started telling me that, ‘If anybody else ever finds out, we’ll both go to jail, both of our lives will be over.’ ”
RELATED VIDEO: Michael Jackson’s Family Speaks Out Against Sexual Abuse Allegations in New Documentary
Speaking of Robson’s decision toopen up now about the alleged sexual abusehe suffered as a child, Reed toldTodaythat Robson was inspired after becoming a father.
“I think a big moment for Wade — and Wade kind of led the way — was having his own son,” the director shared. “So when his son came into the world and he saw this child and he realizedwhat it is to have a child in your care… he began to imagine Michael doing the things to his little boy that he’d done to 7-year-old Wade, and these images were revolting and disgusting.”
Michael Jackson and James Safechuck.Dave Hogan/Getty Images
“And yet, when he thought about his own experience with Michael, he felt nothing,” Reed added onToday. “And that’s the tragic thing here is that a deep attachment forms between the abuser and the victim — and the sexual relationship, even at such a young age, becomes normalized, and you think, ‘This is love. I’m special.’ ”
On Feb. 22, PEOPLE obtained court documents that showedJackson’s estate had filed a lawsuit over the planned broadcast, suing HBO and its parent company, Time Warner, for $100 million — claiming that airing the two-part film will violate a non-disparagement clause.
Leaving Neverlandgarnered significant buzz upon its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival last month. Jackson’s estateissued a statement to PEOPLEin January ahead of the Sundance premiere andblasted the documentaryas a “pathetic attempt” to make money off of the singer.
“This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson,” the statement read.“Wade Robson and James Safechuck have both testified under oath that Michael never did anything inappropriate toward them. Safechuck and Robson, the latter a self-proclaimed ‘master of deception’, filed lawsuits against Michael’s Estate, asking for millions of dollars.Both lawsuits were dismissed.”
Michael Jackson.Michael Ochs Archive/Getty
Leaving Neverlandhas drawn more criticism from members of Jackson’s family, including his brothers Tito, 65, Marlon, 61, and Jackie, who emphatically deny any allegations of abuse.
“I don’t care to see it,” Jackie, 67, said. “No, because I know my brother. I don’t have to see that documentary. I know Michael. I’m the oldest brother. I know my brother. I know what he stood for. What he was all about. Bringing the world together. Making kids happy. That’s the kind of person he was.”
Leaving Neverlandairs Sunday and Monday at 8 p.m. EST on HBO.
source: people.com
