How Michael Jackson was Extorted – Square One: Review.

Review by Pez Jax

In a year where many of us were expecting Spike Lee’s Thriller documentary to complete the trilogy of behind the scenes glances at Michael Jackson’s most successful records, we’re instead seeing documentaries of a different kind.

Following a slanderous and inaccurate movie with a singular narrative being released earlier this year, the conversation about accusations against Michael Jackson, have once again been a focal point for the media. With the movie opting to present claims that have now been debunked, no evidence to backup assertions and no voice for the opposing council; a vacuum was formed that desperately needed filling with truthful information, using facts as its source. Enter Square One. 

Square One takes us back to the first allegation of child abuse against Michael Jackson and thrusts it under a much-needed microscope. Through a chronological exploration, director Danny Wu demonstrates cohesively how Jackson became the victim of extortion by Evan Chandler.

Disregarding any input of feeling to focus completely on facts, Wu has enlisted the help of Charles Thomson, an award-winning investigative journalist, who uses his calm and clear persona to provide an overview of the events that took place.

Thomson’s input really helps to elevate the documentary as he uses countless hours of research and extensive knowledge to present the timeline in layman’s-terms. Perhaps one of the most informative moments is when Thomson explains the differences between the Civil and Criminal trial and explains how Jackson and his team were adamant that the criminal trial come first – Simply put, Jackson wanted to take the accusations to the criminal courts and fight his case. The Chandlers wanted the civil case to precede, ensuring their pay-day first. The Chandlers were offered the chance to take Jackson to criminal court following the settlement of the lawsuit they brought against Jackson – They chose not to do so.  

Wu also provides first-hand accounts from Taj Jackson on the photoshoot for the ‘Why’ single cover and Geraldine Hughes, who served as a legal secretary for the Chandler’s attorney Barry Rothman. As well as Jackson-fans Caroline Fristedt and Jenny Wining who spent the day at Neverland with Gavin Arvizo on the date he claimed the abuse took place and subsequently were added to the witness list in the 2005 trial. 

The documentary also introduces Josephine Zhony to the world. Zhony, a freelance PR specialist attended New York University as an undergraduate studying Music Business, a course that was also attended by Jordan Chandler. Zhony delivers an account of that time in the same class as Chandler. 

What’s vital about Zhony’s account is that at no time does she claim to have been a confidant of Chandler, nor does she claim that Chandler ever discussed his connection to Michael Jackson with her. She clearly states how the two crossed paths and where an interaction that related to Jackson came up. 

The success of Wu’s documentary lies in his ability to outline the circumstances in a clear timeline of events, whilst managing to cover other important chapters, such as Jackson’s suffering from Vitiligo and Lupus, The LaToya Jackson claims and the use of Sodium Amytal – All which lead back into the chronology Wu is presenting.

Square One really does take you back to the very foundation of these allegations and discusses the source material from which Leaving Neverland takes its direction. The discredited fantasy piece produced by Chilean journalist and convicted fraud Victor Gutierrez, who as far back as 1986 began a campaign to present Jackson as a paedophile, to serve as the poster-child for NAMBLA.

It demonstrates Gutierrez’s undeniable involvement in each and every shady character that attempted to tie Jackson to such heinous crimes.

If Square One doesn’t shock you to the core, you were not paying attention. Wu and Thomson’s extensive research can be fully supported by legal documentation, testimony and irrefutable facts. The tape recording of Chandler’s intention, which also features in Square One, should have served as a smoking gun many years ago. Now taking its place in the full timeline, one can see exactly how Evan Chandler sought to extort money from Jackson

It’s been questioned by some as to how Square One is able to challenge the narrative presented in Leaving Neverland and it’s easy to explain – The only reason the media and public are susceptible to accusations against Jackson is because of the first accusation. By proving the first accusation false, then the rest need to be pulled into question and scrutinised. 

“This is not about Michael Jackson” claimed Leaving Neverland’s creator, despite the full title of the hit piece being ‘Leaving Neverland: Michael Jackson and Me’ – a statement he has contradicted through his own actions at every outing. However, Square One really isn’t about Michael Jackson. it’s about everything happening around him at the time, using facts to drive the narrative.

In an era where factions of the Me-Too movement continue to attempt to repress anybody who uses factual evidence from challenging an accusation, Square One serves as a stark reminder as to just how important facts are, because in Jackson’s case they clearly demonstrate the other side of the story, that no amount of ‘feeling sharing’ can deny. This is about dealing with extortion – Which is exactly what the 1993 claims were.

Whilst Square One may not have the platform that other movies this year have received, its Youtube distribution is reflective of today’s attitude of free knowledge and information sharing for all. Shouldering the financial commitments for production has allowed Wu to create a documentary free from corporate bias or mainstream agenda, on one of the most accessible platforms in the world – It may not reach the masses, but it will reach the right people – The people looking for the truth, willing to open their minds, interested in facts over feelings. 

For anybody who invested 4-hours this year in a constructed, emotionally manipulative, disturbed fantasy movie; Watch Square One. The truth doesn’t need 4-hours (or whatever the current runtime is due to the multiple re-edits due to claims being proven false) and you’ll learn exactly why others think that accusing Jackson is financially viable avenue to go down.

To the fans – Share Square One with your family, with your work colleagues, with your friends – What Square One demonstrates is why Michael continues to have your support and the support of millions of people all around the world.

Pez Jax
Follow Pez on twitter @PezJax

Watch Square One here –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxNDb2PVcoM&t=1353s