Family and fans attend global Jackson premieres

Published: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:37:27

Members of the late Michael Jackson's family and thousands of fans have attended simultaneous premieres of a documentary chronicling the star's ill-fated comeback tour. Former Jackson Five members Jermaine, Marlon, Randy and Tito attended the Los Angeles showing of This It It, a documentary assembled from 100 hours of rehearsal footage for the late Thriller star's planned 50 dates at London's O2 Arena. Jackson died aged 50 in June, just weeks before his O2 residency was due to begin.

Introducing the Los Angeles premiere, High School Musical director Kenny Ortega - who was choreographing Jackson's tour - said This Is It was "the last sacred document of our leader and friend". While the Los Angeles premiere was attended by celebrities such as Katy Perry, Will Smith and Jennifer Lopez, the screening also saw protests by some fans who said the documentary was not a true account of Jackson's failing health in the weeks prior to his death. The mood at the London premiere - which took place simultaneously with 17 other first screenings - was largely positive, with a dance tribute from Britain's Got Talent winners Diversity beforehand.

Fan Ed Rahmen told the BBC the film proved Jackson's O2 concerts would have been "the best thing he had ever done". "It was like a film on stage. It was better than any of his early stuff. It was Jackson brought to this time and age," he added.

Neda Allin commented tellingly: "You can see he was a bit ill, or he didn't look right, but the movie was brilliant." This Is It is released in UK cinemas today for a two-week run.

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