The 2019 Sundance Film Festival is underway in the US state of Utah and as usual, a whole host of films, shorts and documentaries will make their big screen debuts at the event.
One film that premiered at the festival was Leaving Neverland - a documentary focusing on two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who allege they were victims of sexual abuse by singer Michael Jackson when they were young boys.
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Perhaps unsurprisngly, the reaction from the screening at Sundance has been intense, with viewers taking to Twitter to express their feelings.
During a break at the midway point in the four-hour-long documentary, the opinions of those who were viewing the film became immediately clear. One critic called it 'more disturbing than you could imagine':
Another reviewer claimed that counsellors were waiting in the theatre lobby due to the explicit nature of the film:
A third critic almost seemed lost for words, writing:
The documentary centres around interviews with Robson and Safechuck, who had defended Jackson years previously as he faced allegations of sexual abuse from other young men.
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As described by Variety, the documentary "also features interviews with their mothers, wives and siblings, painting a portrait of sustained abuse and exploring the complicated feelings that led the two men to confront their experiences after both had young sons of their own."
The late performer's estate dismissed the film as "yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson."
In a statement released on Friday night, the estate continued: "This so called 'documentary' is just another rehash of dated and discredited allegations."
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Many fans of the star have been angered by the documentary and a small protest was started outside the theatre, it was reported.
Felicia Martinez, a reporter for Salt Lake City's KSL TV, took to Twitter to say there was a growing police presence outside the event.
Earlier this week, Jackson's nephew, Taj Jackson, started a crowdfunding page to raise money to make a counter-documentary to defend the late singer.
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It was back in 1993 when Michael Jackson - then dubbed the 'King of Pop' after a series of astronomically successful records - was first accused of sexual abuse against 13-year-old Jordan Chandler.
Jackson was never indicted but did pay Jordan and his family $23 million to settle a 'related case'.
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In November 2003 he was arrested and charged with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent - however, Jackson was later acquitted on all counts in June 2005.
The film is set to air on Channel 4 and HBO later this year.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: TV and Film, Michael Jackson, UK Entertainment, Documentary, US Entertainment
