ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Did you sit throughthe docs screening at Sundance?

How did it feel?DAN REED:It was a feeling of immense relief.

I sat next to Wade and James.

They were very emotional the whole way through.

I was principally experiencing it through their eyes.

I found a way of telling stories that happened in the past as intimate personal accounts.

People thought they understood Michael Jackson.

Its something no filmmaker wants to do.

The shorter your piece, the more impact it has.

But you should probably pull out and get the two decade span of these two families and their stories.

This is about a family dynamic, which is what Jackson understood.

you’re gonna wanna understand why she would let Wade sleep with Michael.

It was a different time.

Jackson was so dazzling, he was such a nice guy and so childlike.

Those are the saddest words in the film.

Its exactly the right decision.

Wade and James expressed themselves so well.

Did you have to coach them in any way?I didnt.

We cannot leave our audience confused as to what was happening.

We have to make it clear that this wasnt affectionate cuddling or touching.

Just tell me what happened.

Wade found that very liberating.

He always felt like he had to justify that himself.

I wanted to have that feeling of moving through time, almost like a real-time telling of the story.

It becomes very immersive so people can understand.

Do you think they knew as kids that there was something wrong?I dont think they did.

He felt it was an extension of his relationship with Jackson.

They both said it seemed like an expression of their evolving closeness, their intimacy and their love.

I dont think it seemed wrong for either of them.

He defended his friend, his lover, his mentor, and he didnt think that anything bad happened.

Talk about your use of music.

It really enhances the storytelling and adds a layer.

I just want people to be swept along in the dream, the fairy tale.

I wanted the audience to have that feeling.

The music creates that world, Jacksons magical kingdom, a poison paradise.

I didnt want to go into that into the film.

We are not making allegations against anyone else except Michael Jackson.

Thats a whole other rabbit hole that I didnt feel we needed to go down.

The jury can award damages if the corporation has been negligent.

This is their way to get justice, to get their story out there.

A trial is a good way to bring the story out in the public eye.

This documentary serves the same purpose.

The estates response came too late.

I certainly didnt seek any comment from the estate because we dont make any allegations about the estate.

I dont believe the estate has watched the movie.

Nothing they have written leads me to believe they watched the film.

Im not talking about the estates complaint against HBO.

I include denials from Jackson and rebuttals.

Ive done my job in providing balance for an audience whose memory might not stretch back.

Jacksons position has always been hes been innocent.

There was no requirement on my part to include any statement.

Look at all the people who say hes a nice guy.

And then look at what a money-grubbing person this person is.

Why didnt you talk to all the former children who said Michael didnt do anything to them?

Have you heard from any other victims?I havent.

The turning point will be when it comes out on HBO.

Maybe people will come out then.

Is it possible he limited himself?

I dont think so.

I think predatory pedophiles have a voracious appetite.

They need to eat.

He had plenty of opportunities.

He was a magnet for little boys.

Will it make them want to stop hearing Michaels music?

To be honest, a revulsion to his music has been a common response from the press.

And Im sure that will be a response that a lot of people will feel.

Im kind of agnostic about this.

People should do what they feel is right.

But I dont want his music to be banned.

Its part of peoples lives and their precious memories.

I dont want people to lose those.

But people are going to have to re-adjust their perception of Jackson.

He made this amazing pop music but hes also a predatory pedophile who hurt a lot of children.

Part 1 ofLeaving Neverlandwill premiere on HBO March 3, followed by Part 2 on March 4.