It had the most successful opening weekend of any biopic ever made: “Michael”, the film about the life of pop superstar Michael Jackson tracing his meteoric rise up to the year 1988, took a staggering 217 million US dollars at the global box office in its first weekend.
“Michael” grossed 217 million US dollars on its opening weekend
Sharply criticised in the media for leaving out some of the more controversial chapters of his life, the film nevertheless became a global audience hit. We are showing it for one reason above all: Michael Jackson was the first pop megastar to campaign tirelessly, over decades, for peace and for the preservation of our environment and our planet. Songs like “Earth Song” remain to this day both a manifesto and a striking example of how art can wrap a complex subject in music to make people stop and think. That is why “Michael” is being screened as part of the festival’s “CALL for Nature & Peace Selection”.
The film tells the story of the pop star from his childhood with the Jackson 5 to his global rise as the “King of Pop”. At its heart lie both his extraordinary musical talent and the immense pressure of early fame. It explores his creative processes, the making of iconic songs and his groundbreaking stage shows. At the same time, it also addresses the darker sides of his life, including the loss of privacy and the relentless glare of the media.
Jaafar Jackson plays his uncle Michael – and does so magnificently
The lead role is taken by Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew, portraying his famous uncle. The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua, known for realistic and intensely staged productions. The screenplay was written by John Logan, who has already penned several major biopics. The film relies heavily on faithfully recreated music and dance sequences to capture Jackson’s signature performance style.
“Michael” is conceived as a comprehensive portrait of one of the most defining – and most complex – figures in the history of pop.
