How the Michael film premiere kept Jackson’s critics at bay
A weekend-long Berlin event showed that fan ecstasy can be harnessed to drown out controversy — and journalists
Related reading
Michael Jackson biopic is hit with audiences despite critical backlash
‘Michael’ earns $217mn on opening weekend in boon for Lionsgate, Universal and the late singer’s estate
Michael Jackson biopic ‘Michael’ is a stilted waxwork of a movie — review
Antoine Fuqua’s film has bullying, bravura music and a haunting CGI Bubbles but does little to illuminate the man or his genius
Michael Jackson estate paid $2.5mn in bid to settle sexual abuse claims
Dispute threatens to cast shadow over $155mn Hollywood biopic of late star set for release next year
He rescued the Michael Jackson estate. Can he save the star’s legacy?
John Branca, one of the most powerful lawyers in music history, is being tested as new allegations come to light
The FT Weekend 2026 cultural calendar
FT critics pick this year’s choicest morsels from film, TV, theatre, classical, art, gaming, pop and dance
When did celebrities lose their mystery?
The publicity circus around new film and TV releases leaves me hungry for old-fashioned opacity