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Thousands watch This is It premiere world wide
By: timesonline.comPosted On: 10/28/2009 11:57 A
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After weeks of hype This was, finally, It. Michael Jackson's posthumous curtain call, shown simultaneously in 18 different countries around the world.
After weeks of hype This was, finally, It. Michael Jackson's posthumous curtain call, shown simultaneously in 18 different countries around the world.
Thousands of fans stayed up late, got up early and took time out from work to watch the premiere of This is It, the film made from 100 hours of rehearsals for the King of Pop's aborted London concert.
Hundreds of fans gathered outside the Nokia theatre in Los Angeles, the location of many of Jackson's rehearsals and his high profile public memorial, where the premiere was anchored.
Across the Atlantic, hundreds more gathered at a simultaneous opening in Leicester Square, in London, while another 150,000 fans from Brazil to Australia watched the LA event live on the internet.
Screenings of the film, described by its director Kenny Ortega as "a story of a master of his craft," were also held in 15 other cities including Seoul, Johannesburg and Berlin ahead of its formal release on Wednesday .
The film star Will Smith and the singer Jennifer Lopez joined Jackson's brothers in Los Angeles, although his three children, his mother and sisters were not seen at the premiere.
Jermaine Jackson told reporters: "You are going to see preparations for what would have been one of the greatest shows ever." However, he admitted: "You are going to see him going through the motions, not giving 100 per cent."
The film shows an enthusiastic Jackson meticulously crafting his moves and performing some of his most beloved hits for the 50 shows which had been planned for London's O2 Arena in July.
No critics have seen it, but Sony
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