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Michael Jackson: Chase the Truth

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Michael Jackson: Chase the Truth
Digital release poster
Directed byJordan Hill
Starring
  • Mike Smallcombe
  • Mark Lester
  • Lucy Lester
  • Matt Fiddes
Production
company
Entertain Me
Distributed byAmazon Prime Video
Release date
  • August 13, 2019 (2019-08-13) (United Kingdom)
Running time
59 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom[1]
LanguageEnglish

Michael Jackson: Chase the Truth is a 2019 documentary film by Entertain Me Productions. The film defends singer Michael Jackson against allegations of child sexual abuse made by Wade Robson and James Safechuck in the documentary Leaving Neverland.

The film focuses on research from biographer and journalist Mike Smallcombe and statements by Jackson's former bodyguard Matt Fiddes and actor Mark Lester. It was released on streaming services such as YouTube and Amazon Prime on August 13, 2019.[2]

Synopsis

Describing Jackson as "[a]cquitted in life, back on trial after death", the film examines the allegations against Jackson, interviewing friends and former staff members. The film includes "testimony from Jackson's former bodyguard Matt Fiddes and actor Mark Lester", and presents their assertions that "Safechuck and Robson's abuse claims were fictitious and motivated by financial gain".[3] It opens with a clip of Jackson himself addressing and denying the original allegations raised against him.[4]

Fiddes and Jackson biographer Mike Smallcombe both asserted that assertions made against Jackson always had a financial incentive.[3] Fiddes stated in the documentary that "Michael used to say to me, 'The bigger the star, the bigger the target' and he is still the biggest in death".[3] Fiddes further noted that the assertions were never supported by evidence.[4] The documentary points to previous court testimony made under oath by Jackson's accusers, including testimony by Robson that he was on a Grand Canyon trip with his family at a time that he later claimed he was abused at Neverland.[3] It also notes that Safechuck alleged abuse in a building "which wasn't constructed during the period he was closest with Michael".[3]

Release and reception

The documentary was released on streaming services including Amazon Prime and YouTube.[5] New Musical Express gave it two out of five stars, complaining of the one-hour length, choppy editing of interviews, and the £8 cost to purchase the film, and describing as "[h]ardly the way to spread its idea of the 'truth' as broadly as possible".[6] However, the review did note that the film was not less believable than Finding Neverland with "barely a trace of insincerity on display in either".[6] Following the release of the documentary, Fiddes invited Safechuck and Robson to "come and challenge us on live UK TV" with respect to the claims and the refutations offered for them.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ Media Production | Entertain Me UK | London
  2. ^ Trendell, Andrew (August 15, 2019). "New documentary 'Chase The Truth' defending Michael Jackson is released". NME. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e Trendell, Andrew (August 15, 2019). "New documentary 'Chase The Truth' defending Michael Jackson is released". NME. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c Wallis, Adam (August 15, 2019). "Michael Jackson documentary 'Chase the Truth' defends late singer". Global News.
  5. ^ "New documentary: 'Chase the Truth' slams Michael Jackson's accusers". Rollingout. August 16, 2019.
  6. ^ a b Beaumont, Mark (August 19, 2019). "Michael Jackson 'Chase The Truth' review: a defence of the child sex abuse allegations made against the singer". NME.

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