Square One
Square One has vigorously defended Michael Jackson against the pedophilia allegations that plagued him for the latter half of his life and career. At the heart of the film is debunking the original 1993 charges against Jackson. If the allegations can be dismissed, as the film seems to argue, then the subsequent charges against Jackson must also be dismissed. To help make that happen, filmmaker Danny Wu has assembled a collection of never-before-seen witness testimony in the case and new interviews with figures from Jackson’s inner circle, including his nephew and 3T member Taj Jackson.
The 1993 case never went to trial. Instead, Jackson paid plaintiff Jordan Chandler $15 million to have the case dismissed. The film suggests that the case stems from a bitter custody battle between Chandler’s parents. To ensure his son takes full responsibility and is rewarded handsomely, the father preached false allegations against Jackson and feverishly trained his son to back them up with false testimony.
The film condemns many of the central actors of this sad drama, as well as the circus performers who roam its periphery. The relentless media coverage of the case has resulted in misleading and always lurid headlines.
A number of interviews are provided to support the film’s hypothesis that Jackson was wrongly accused, including conversations with the district attorney’s legal secretary, Barry Rothman, and, oddly, some fans who visited Neverland Ranch.
The film also resolves other tabloid-related controversies surrounding Jackson, including the screening he received for a rare skin condition and the outcome of five search warrants on his property.
Square One is clearly a fan mission, but it was made with a sense of urgency and passion. Viewers must decide for themselves whether the findings contained in the film effectively disprove the original allegations in 1993, or provide compelling reasons to dismiss other subsequent allegations.
Directed by: Danny Wu
