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“I will be magic,” he wrote as a teenager, planning his future career. Michael Jackson’s ambition to succeed and his undeniable talent as a singer, dancer and songwriter are the focus of Spike Lee’s new documentary, “Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to ‘Off the Wall,'” which made its world premiere Sunday (Jan. 24) at the Sundance Film Festival.
Director Spike Lee assembles a plethora of archival footage, interviews with contemporary talents and family members, and Michael’s own words and image to create this insightful masterpiece of the star’s early rise to fame.
Fans are given an in-depth look at a chapter of his career that is rarely examined, “Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall”. The documentary allows audiences to travel with Michael as careers takes off at Motown, strikes a new path with CBS records, and build a legendary relationship with super producer Quincy Jones. An illuminated portrait emerges of how an earnest, passionate, hard-working boy would become the “King of Pop.”
Archival footage of the Jacksons’ performances on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” ”American Bandstand” and their “Destiny” tour is interspersed with interviews with music industry talents from then and now like Sammy Davis Jr., Gene Kelly, Berry Gordy, Quincy Jones and Questlove.
The film follows Jackson’s career until the release of his groundbreaking 1979 album “Off the Wall,” which paved the way for 1982’s “Thriller,” the best-selling album in history.
It doesn’t get into Jackson’s personal life or any of the legal troubles that would plague him later in life. It’s simply a portrait of a man and his music.
“Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to ‘Off the Wall'” is set to premiere Feb. 5 on Showtime.
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Check out a clip of “Michael Jackson’s Journey from Motown to Off the Wall” below.
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