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Global premiere for Jackson movie Global premiere for Jackson movie
(10 minutes later)
Michael Jackson's family and fans have attended the worldwide premiere of his concert documentary, This Is It.Michael Jackson's family and fans have attended the worldwide premiere of his concert documentary, This Is It.
The movie was pieced together from 100 hours of footage shot at rehearsals for the star's ill-fated comeback shows.The movie was pieced together from 100 hours of footage shot at rehearsals for the star's ill-fated comeback shows.
Jackson's brothers Jermaine, Marlon, Tito and Randy, attended a star-studded screening in Los Angeles. Simultaneous premieres were held in 18 other cities.Jackson's brothers Jermaine, Marlon, Tito and Randy, attended a star-studded screening in Los Angeles. Simultaneous premieres were held in 18 other cities.
Introducing the film, director Kenny Ortega described it as "the last sacred document of our leader and friend".Introducing the film, director Kenny Ortega described it as "the last sacred document of our leader and friend".
But some fans protested outside the screenings, saying the film covers up Jackson's declining health.But some fans protested 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.
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.
We're going to see him going through the motions, though, not giving 1,000% because he's making sure everyone else is going to do their part Jermaine Jackson on the film We're going to see him going through the motions, though, not giving 1,000% because he's making sure everyone else is going to do their part Jermaine Jackson on the film class="" href="/2/hi/in_pictures/8329112.stm">In Pictures: Jackson film premiere
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.
'Pure joy''Pure joy'
The Los Angeles premiere took place across the road from the Staples Center, the site of Jackson's rehearsals and, later, his memorial service.The Los Angeles premiere took place across the road from the Staples Center, the site of Jackson's rehearsals and, later, his memorial service.
Stars attending the event included Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, Paris Hilton, Katy Perry, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr.Stars attending the event included Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, Paris Hilton, Katy Perry, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr.
On the red carpet, Jermaine Jackson stressed that the footage just showed "preparation" for the star's concerts.On the red carpet, Jermaine Jackson stressed that the footage just showed "preparation" for the star's concerts.
"We're going to see him going through the motions," he said, "not giving 1,000% because he's making sure everyone else is going to do their part but, at the same time, once he got on that stage, he was going to give them 100,000%""We're going to see him going through the motions," he said, "not giving 1,000% because he's making sure everyone else is going to do their part but, at the same time, once he got on that stage, he was going to give them 100,000%"
THIS IS IT PREMIERES Los AngelesBelgiumBoliviaBrazilDenmarkGermanyHollandHungaryKoreaNorwayPeruPolandSlovakiaSouth AfricaSpainSwitzerlandUruguayUnited Kingdom New York CityTHIS IS IT PREMIERES Los AngelesBelgiumBoliviaBrazilDenmarkGermanyHollandHungaryKoreaNorwayPeruPolandSlovakiaSouth AfricaSpainSwitzerlandUruguayUnited Kingdom New York City
BBC Entertainment correspondent Lizo Mzimba was at the London premiere, and said: "It's not as compelling as many fans would hope, but that's because the show was a work in progress.BBC Entertainment correspondent Lizo Mzimba was at the London premiere, and said: "It's not as compelling as many fans would hope, but that's because the show was a work in progress.
"The film gives you a good insight into what Jackson's concerts would have been like - but you have to put all the elements together in your own head.""The film gives you a good insight into what Jackson's concerts would have been like - but you have to put all the elements together in your own head."
Executive editor of Billboard magazine, Bill Werde, added: "The best moments are unguarded, when you see his passion for getting every detail of a song and dance right."Executive editor of Billboard magazine, Bill Werde, added: "The best moments are unguarded, when you see his passion for getting every detail of a song and dance right."
Jackson's former manager, Frank DiLeo told reporters: "I've seen the movie three times and it's been emotional at every screening".Jackson's former manager, Frank DiLeo told reporters: "I've seen the movie three times and it's been emotional at every screening".
"Sometimes I have to leave the room because I'm crying. But we're not going to cry tonight. Tonight is a celebration of Michael.""Sometimes I have to leave the room because I'm crying. But we're not going to cry tonight. Tonight is a celebration of Michael."
And Jackson's close friend Elizabeth Taylor issued her verdict on the film via Twitter, calling it: "The single most brilliant piece of filmmaking I have ever seen".And Jackson's close friend Elizabeth Taylor issued her verdict on the film via Twitter, calling it: "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."
This Is It has now been released to cinemas for a limited two-week run. The first public screening in London is at 0400GMT, with fans queueing through the night to see it. This Is It has now been released to cinemas for a limited two-week run. The first public screening in London is at 0400GMT, with fans queuing through the night to see it.
By the weekend, it will be shown in 110 countries, with distributor Sony putting 15,000 prints into circulation.By the weekend, it will be shown in 110 countries, with distributor Sony putting 15,000 prints into circulation.


Did you attend one of the global premieres of This Is It? What did you think of the film? Send us your comments using the form below.Did you attend one of the global premieres of This Is It? What did you think of the film? Send us your comments using the form below.
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