This documentary was incredible! Honestly, this was probably my favorite Michael Jackson documentary I have seen and BY FAR the best "fan" made documentary out there (I hate to even put it that way since he doesn't refer to himself as a fan AND because this was so clearly a professional effort).
Totally agree. Def my fave and light years ahead of any fan made stuff that I've seen so far. And I was so glad he dealt with the whole issue of being a 'fan'. I don't identify as such, never have, never will. And he dealt with it so concisely. But then went on to point out that we are all 'fans' even if that's the wrong word. Everyone admires the work of someone else. It doesn't even have to be the creative arts. You could be an architect and have your fave peeps. Or a civil engineer who designs and builds bridges and you'd have peeps you really look up to.
And, yeah, my god, the professional quality of this film. Awesome. The editing alone had me in spasms of ecstasy.
It was absolutely riveting and such a wonderful angle for a documentary.
Indeed. I loved the space he created for himself to assess Michael and his work. Of course, I love that he chose to focus mostly on the dancing and I LOVE that he took the time to place Michael properly in the tradition of the African American dancers, especially those from the film world. And then, as if he wasn't being brilliant enough, he goes and mentions Bill Bailey, The Cherry Brothers, John Bubbles. The people who so often just don't get mentioned. I never want people to forget the Nicholas Brothers or Bill Robinson but, come on, people! There were others, as well. He did that whole section so well. In fact, I think that's a good example of how good the film is. He introduces it as a love letter to Michael and then proceeds to hardly mention him at all for the next ten minutes or whatever. And not once did I feel impatient or wonder what the hell he was doing or, you know, 'where is Michael, mate?' I was riveted. That is definitely the word.
It's fascinating to me because when I first got completely absorbed by Michael I was almost feeling embarrassed. Michael is so incredible, innovative, and creative, I felt like I must be hella mediocre if I am so absorbed in consuming someone else's art that I completely ignore mine in the face of it.
I don't have an artistic creative bone in my body so I never thought of it like this. Such an interesting angle on all of this.
But what comforted me was reminding myself that Michael was a massive fan of so many different people and he obsessively poured over footage of those people who inspired him. It always made me feel better. You (or anyone) might wonder why I would feel embarrassed or ashamed of loving someone's art to this degree, but I have immeasurably high expectations of myself and what I can achieve with my own creativity, especially as a writer, and I constantly let myself down,
I'm slightly surprised that a creative person might feel *embarrassed* by their love of someone else's work. I don't think I've come across this point of view before. So it was unexpected and intriguing. Creative peeps do always have high expectations and it can become a burden to them, it seems to me. Part of the challenge, as far as I can see, is to learn to manage that so it doesn't stop you from creating. It's a shame because it clearly is all to do with societal expectations and idiotic ideas that we allow to circulate around in the wider society. As individuals we don't need to buy into that stuff.
I probably don't have anything helpful or interesting to add to this. But it was so interesting to read this.
so I basically live in a constant state of suffocating guilt, and will find any excuse to strip happiness from my own daily life lol. BUT Michael has freed me of that to some degree. A lot of it. He has really liberated me in more ways than I can put into words right now.
Yay! A happy resolution. This is good. This is great. Isn't that the wonderful thing about inspiration? It doesn't have to be limited to being inspired by the actual creative stuff that the person does. It can also be about being inspired by HOW they do things or WHY they do things the way they do.
I love that you phrased it like that. 'Michael liberated you'. Wonderful. I hope that process continues. I'm sure it will. You engage with him and his work so much so I'm sure you'll continue to learn from him and be inspired and all of that. I'm getting inspiration from him more on the spiritual / faith / prayer side of things. I think you've mentioned that also.
Anyway, I didn't mean to ramble off topic about that. But I just appreciated a documentary which focuses so much on Michael's own experience of being a fan and how that was integrated into his work. It really makes you appreciate the intentionality of everything Michael did. I keep saying this, but I never expect anything can make me appreciate his genius anymore than I already do. But this absolutely did. Yet again, I am stunned by Michael.
Yeah. It probably sounds a bit daft but I honestly feel that Michael's intentionality sometimes gets missed even when he's being appreciated. And yet it's so important, I think. So that was an element of the film that I really loved.
I am happy to discuss this doc more as well! I am going to post it over in the documentaries thread so more people can learn about it. Also, i can't seem to find if he ever published a Part 2, but I hope if not then that is still in the works. Ending with the Wade Robson clip shocked and intrigued me, tbh.
Yeah, sorry about that. I have watched the film many times but have got so used to closing down at 1hr 15 mins. I always forget about the bit with that idiot. I haven't seen any evidence of a Pt. 2 but maybe he's waiting to see what they all do next. Cos I think there's more appeals to come. And DR is still filming, I assume. So it might be prudent to see what their next move is. And, of course, a film of this quality takes time. Can you imagine? Oh, hang on, you do creative stuff so you probably can imagine. Well, you know what I mean, lol.
You know, the other day a friend I haven't talkd to much in the past year asked me what's new in my life and how I've been. He said he was sure "lots" had happened. And I really struggled to answer because how do I tell someone who is not an MJ fan that this year "I discovered Michael Jackson" and actually have that resonate as literally anything important lol. Deep diving into an artist or musician should not, in theory, feel like an all consuming life changing event, but that's absolutely what happened to me this year. Anyway, I say all of this because even though you've been interested in Michael for a long time, it seems like it's really ramped up for you in the last year too!
I really wish I would keep a diary of all of this. I'm just not a diary person but I would love to have a proper timeline for all of this. There have been so many phases to my Michael thing. I first watched this film during our first lockdown in early 2020, IIRC. I was lurking on the board here for a good long time but only joined this year and that has ramped things up quite a lot and I don't just mean Manhood. The way it evolves is so interesting but I can't really track it.
Ngl, I am fascinated by your journey (oh god, did I really just use that word? oh god, oh god, oh god, what is to become of me?).
Anyway. This whole thing you're going through is so interesting cos it's so quick and so intense. Mine is like a meandering river, changing course sometimes, the flow gets faster in certain places, there are detours, new vistas open up as the river changes course. Yours is maybe more like a crazy waterfall. Not Niagara, the other one. Victoria Falls? I know it is in one of the African countries but I can't even remember which one. But you know what I mean, right?
I actually really appreciate recommendations like this! Especially from people whose tastes I trust. So please feel free to suggest things to me repeatedly since my memory/attention span sucks but I am definitely committed to learning as much as possible
I do sometimes feel quite exhausted by all the new stuff I have to take in. I'm not complaining. I love it. I'm having a blast. But, man, it's intense. Sometimes my brain or my emotions needs a break. It's like that famous Gary Larson cartoon - 'Please, Miss, my brain is full'. Oh, I know how that feels. I had a bit of time offline earlier this week and it was good. I tried doing the abstinence thing and that didn't work. If I can just try to dial it down every now and then that would be good.
But, yeah, I want more. Bring it on!
Seriously, there isn’t anyone else who even comes close. I think he just puts so much of himself into every single song that you can’t help but to feel what he feels! He doesn’t just “sing” a song….he LIVES and BREATHS the song! Like, if it’s a fast song…you can FEEL the energy even if you can’t see him. When it’s a sad song…you can feel the sadness. And tge ad libs he does to accentuate the rhythm or the message of the song…Like seriously…even those “heehees” and all the other ad libs of his are energetic or sad based on what he’s singing. And he just has the most beautiful, unique voice. And he’s an extremely talented singer.