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Cape Town – M-Net (DStv 101) has required the rights to broadcast the controversial and must-see new documentary, Leaving Neverland, about two young men speaking out about how Michael Jackson allegedly sexually abused them for years.
M-Net will show part 1 of Leaving Neverland on Friday 15 March at 21:00, with part 2 on Saturday 16 March at 21:00 in South Africa and across Southern Africa on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform.
The shocking Leaving Neverland had its premiere last month at the Sundance Film Festival in the United States and was broadcast on HBO last week and is distributed internationally by the Kew Media Group.
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Michael Jackson accusers get a standing ovation as late musician's estate rebuke the documentary
Utah - It's not uncommon for audiences at the Sundance Film Festival to give standing ovations, but the ceremonial act took on a solemn air as two men who accuse Michael Jackson of molesting them as boys walked onstage following the festival's only screening of Leaving Neverland, a documentary about their stories.
Leaving Neverland is produced and directed by the award-winning Dan Reed with the 4-hour documentary that is harrowing, yet must-watch television, telling the story of James Safechuck and Wade Robson – now adult men in their 30s – who befriended Michael Jackson at the ages of 10 and 7 respectively.
Through gut-wrenching interviews with both as well as their mothers, wives and siblings, the documentary crafts a portrait of sustained abuse by Michael Jackson over years, and explores the complicated feelings that led both men to confront their experiences after both eventually had sons of their own.
"Bringing Leaving Neverland to Southern African screens is a testament to the fact that M-Net brings the most compelling content to the continent as quickly as possible," says Lani Lombard, M-Net's head of publicity.
"Please note, however, that the documentary is not suitable for younger viewers as it contains strong language, discussions of self-harm and graphic descriptions of child sexual abuse."
Jonathan Ford, the executive vice president of sales at Kew Media Distribution, in a statement says: "We are seeing unprecedented interest in Leaving Neverland from a host of leading broadcasters and platforms worldwide.
"Dan is an exceptional filmmaker and has delivered an utterly compelling documentary on a very difficult subject. This, along with the continued global scrutiny of Michael Jackson’s personal life, is a real factor of this huge demand."
WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:
SCHEDULE CHANGES
To accommodate Leaving Neverland M-Net will broadcast double episodes of America's Got Talent: Champions at 18:00 and 19:00 on Friday, and the season finale of A Million Little Things an hour earlier at 20:00.
On Saturday M-Net will show Sky's Carnage at 17:30, The Kids are Alright at 18:30, American Housewife at 19:00, Murphy Brown at 19:30, Riverdale at 20:00 with the Saturday night movie Death Wish being replaced by the second part of Leaving Neverland at 21:00.
