Michael Jackson documentary screening at Sundance Film Festival puts police on high alert

Police presence has been increased over fears of protests

Police presence at the Sundance Film Festival has been increased over fears fans of Michael Jackson will protest the premiere of new documentary on the controversial singer.

Leaving Neverland features interviews with two men in their thirties who claim to have been victims of Jackson. The men were aged seven and 10 when Jackson allegedly began long-running relationships with them and their families.

Dan Reed, who directed the film and previously helmed The Paedophile Hunter, has reportedly recieved death threats.

Speaking to Deadline, Captain Phil Kirk of the Park City Police confirmed there would be more police in attendance at the Utah film festival than usual, saying: “We have increased our staffing out of concerns for the potential for a protest.”

A law enforcement source told the publication: “Tensions are higher for this movie than anything I’ve ever seen at Sundance before.

“No one is going to be prevented from exercising their Constitutional rights, but we are not going to allow this to get out of hand, in any way.”

Leaving Neverland will also play in Salt Lake City later this month, where a similar situation is expecting.

Representatives for Jackson’s estate recently denounced the documentary, saying: “This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson.”

The title of the documentary, which will be broadcast on Channel 4 this Spring, references the Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara County, California, where Jackson lived betweem 1988 to 2003.

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Police raided the property in 2003 while investigating allegations Jackson had molested a 13-year-old boy. Jackson, one of the most influential and best-selling artists of all-time, was acquitted of all charges in 2005 following a high-profile trial.

Jackson died in 2009 aged 50 following an overdose of the anaesthetic propofol.