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Fans prepare for Jackson premiere | Fans prepare for Jackson premiere |
(20 minutes later) | |
Michael Jackson's family and fans are preparing for the worldwide premiere of his documentary film, This Is It. | Michael Jackson's family and fans are preparing for the worldwide premiere of his documentary film, This Is It. |
The movie was pieced together from rehearsal footage for Jackson's ill-fated run of London comeback shows. | The movie was pieced together from rehearsal footage for Jackson's ill-fated run of London comeback shows. |
It will be shown simultaneously in 18 countries at 0100 GMT. The late star's brothers Jermaine, Marlon and Tito attended the Los Angeles premiere. | |
But some fans are planning to protest outside the screenings, saying the film covers up Jackson's declining health. | But some fans are planning to protest outside the screenings, saying the film covers up Jackson's declining health. |
The dedicated fans, who have set up a campaign called This Is Not It, are accusing concert promoter AEG Live of putting too much pressure on the star during the build up to his 50-date run at London's O2 Arena. | The dedicated fans, who have set up a campaign called This Is Not It, are accusing concert promoter AEG Live of putting too much pressure on the star during the build up to his 50-date run at London's O2 Arena. |
Stars at the London premiere: 'There's not one artist that doesn't admire him' | |
Jackson, who died on June 25 aged 50, had spent the previous four months rehearsing in Los Angeles. | Jackson, who died on June 25 aged 50, had spent the previous four months rehearsing in Los Angeles. |
More than 800,000 tickets had been sold for the concerts, with organisers promising one of the "most expensive and technically advanced" live shows ever. | More than 800,000 tickets had been sold for the concerts, with organisers promising one of the "most expensive and technically advanced" live shows ever. |
He was just two weeks away from the opening night at the time of his death, which authorities in Los Angeles ruled a homicide. | He was just two weeks away from the opening night at the time of his death, which authorities in Los Angeles ruled a homicide. |
Videos from the rehearsals had been intended to help the star and his creative team assess the show and was never intended for public consumption. | Videos from the rehearsals had been intended to help the star and his creative team assess the show and was never intended for public consumption. |
However, show director Kenny Ortega was persuaded to cultivate the footage into a documentary, which he has called "a legacy piece". | However, show director Kenny Ortega was persuaded to cultivate the footage into a documentary, which he has called "a legacy piece". |
'Pure joy' | 'Pure joy' |
THIS IS IT PREMIERES Los AngelesBelgiumBoliviaBrazilDenmarkGermanyHollandHungaryKoreaNorwayPeruPolandSlovakiaSouth AfricaSpainSwitzerlandUruguayUnited Kingdom New York City | THIS IS IT PREMIERES Los AngelesBelgiumBoliviaBrazilDenmarkGermanyHollandHungaryKoreaNorwayPeruPolandSlovakiaSouth AfricaSpainSwitzerlandUruguayUnited Kingdom New York City |
Following the premieres, This Is It will be released to cinemas for a limited two-week run. The first public screening in London is at 0400GMT, and fans are expected to queue through the night to see it. | Following the premieres, This Is It will be released to cinemas for a limited two-week run. The first public screening in London is at 0400GMT, and fans are expected to queue through the night to see it. |
By the weekend, it will be being shown in 110 countries, with distributor Sony putting 15,000 prints into circulation. | By the weekend, it will be being shown in 110 countries, with distributor Sony putting 15,000 prints into circulation. |
No critics have seen it, but Sony - which paid $60 million (£36.6m) for the film rights - showed a 12-minute clip to entertainment journalists last week. | No critics have seen it, but Sony - which paid $60 million (£36.6m) for the film rights - showed a 12-minute clip to entertainment journalists last week. |
BBC Entertainment correspondent Tim Masters said the footage showed Jackson rehearsing his hits Human Nature and The Way You Make Me Feel. | BBC Entertainment correspondent Tim Masters said the footage showed Jackson rehearsing his hits Human Nature and The Way You Make Me Feel. |
"He appears to be in good health, and his singing voice is strong," he added. | "He appears to be in good health, and his singing voice is strong," he added. |
One person who has seen the completed, 1hr 51min film is Jackson's close friend, Elizabeth Taylor. | One person who has seen the completed, 1hr 51min film is Jackson's close friend, Elizabeth Taylor. |
Writing on Twitter, the actress hailed it as "the single most brilliant piece of filmmaking I have ever seen". | Writing on Twitter, the actress hailed it as "the single most brilliant piece of filmmaking I have ever seen". |
"I wept from pure joy at his God given gift. There will never, ever be the likes of him again," she added. | "I wept from pure joy at his God given gift. There will never, ever be the likes of him again," she added. |
"We have this piece of film to remind us forever and ever that once there was such a man. God kissed him." | "We have this piece of film to remind us forever and ever that once there was such a man. God kissed him." |