Michael Jackson was the undisputed ‘King of Pop’ during his lifetime, but since his death in 2009 from a small cocktail of prescription meds, his reputation has been constantly in question.

Never convicted, Jackson’s relationships with young boys has been magnified and a documentary that was released this year casts a dark shadow over the life of the troubled performer.

‘Leaving Neverland’ is a documentary that paints Michael Jackson as a child abuser, and his ‘long-running relationships with two boys, aged 7 and 10’. In the documentary they share their story of their time with the pop-sensation, detailing how Michael allegedly groomed their families and revealing incredibly graphic sexual details about the relationships.

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Now, Al Quoz arthouse Cinema Akil has taken the decision to air the documentary, and it’s a choice that’s causing major debate online.

Dubai journalist William Mullally spotted the negative reaction

“Dubai’s arthouse cinema Cinema Akil is being subjected to targeted campaign for showing L*aving N*verland later this month by diehard fans, who it doesn’t seem actually are in the UAE”

Dubai’s arthouse cinema Cinema Akil is being subjected to targeted campaign for showing L*aving N*verland later this month by diehard fans, who it doesn’t seem actually are in the UAE pic.twitter.com/W7xaEK0Azb

— William Mullally ?? (@whmullally) April 15, 2019

The controversial documentary was chosen for the theatre’s new programme ‘debatable ‘

And after the screenings, an open debate will take place.

One Twitter user has launched a ‘public appeal’ over the ‘slanderous propaganda film’

This is a public plea to stop the screening of the slanderous propaganda film ‘Leaving Neverland’ at Cinema Akil @NMCUAE @TheNationalUAE @frontrowfilmsME This film depicts extreme graphic sexual content relating to child sexual abuse & the false accusations of a dead innocent man

— Think Fathers (@SeanyKane) April 14, 2019

And another page is trying to rally support against the screening

#MJFAM, a cinema in Dubai is planning to screen Leaving Neverland on 27th April. We need YOUR help in having the event cancelled. Please email your feelings & complaints to info@cinemaakil.com tellme@cinemaakil.com maryam@aakil.com Lets work together to stop it #StrengthInNumbers pic.twitter.com/IH9gEQkjUY

— #MJINNOCENT Official (@MJInnocentUK) April 14, 2019

One resident labels the movie ‘unethical’

I live in reem island , Abu Dhabi. And I’m not just a fan. I’m someone who believes in the truth and evidence provided by the court over consistent lies by two perjurers in a multiple cut , dramaticly shot movie . This “documentary” is unethical on so many levels.

— naz (@raheem_nazmi) April 15, 2019

While the response on Dubai Instagram shows people are interested in the debate

It’s clear there’s cause for debate- Mullally will moderate a conversation after the filming on April 27

I’ll be moderating a debate around the film after the April 27 screening at Cinema Akil. More details here: https://t.co/hbDSJSUeB5

— William Mullally ?? (@whmullally) April 15, 2019

Watch Finding Neverland at Cinema Akil on April 24, April 27 and Wednesday, May 1

More details here