Wacko About Jacko (TV 2005)

A documentary on the nature of fandom, which follows four Michael Jackson fans, and shows their commitment (or obsession), and the lengths they will go to to be close to their idol.

Director:

Lucy Leveugle

Stars:

Paul McGann, Emmanuel de Reyghere, Michael Jackson

Cast

Credited cast:
Paul McGann	...	Himself - Narrator (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Emmanuel de Reyghere	...	Himself
Michael Jackson	...	Himself
Valentino Johnson	...	Himself (as Earnest Valentino)
Anika Kotecha	...	Herself
Navi	...	Himself
Naynesh	...	Himself
Danny Oliver	...	Himself
Leigh Oliver	...	Himself
Ray Oliver	...	Himself
Sue Oliver	...	Herself
Sophie	...	Herself

Storyline

A documentary on the nature of fandom, which follows four Michael Jackson fans, and shows their commitment (or obsession), and the lengths they will go to to be close to their idol.

---

Genres:

Documentary

---

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 January 2005 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

IWC Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Unusual angle amidst the many Jackson documentaries.

This is just one of many documentaries screened in the build-up to Jackson's trial on allegations of child sex abuse. Most are cheap cash-ins for the TV companies, but this was an interesting and eye-opening account, not of Jackson, but of a group of his fans. In fact, the link to Jackson isn't necessarily the most intriguing part of the film, rather it's the way the adulation is borne out by a group of young, seemingly rational men and women. Leveugle's success is that she never mocks her subjects (which would seem the easiest thing to do) and they come across, for the most part, as people with a passion for their hobby - it just happens that their hobby is following one of the world's most famous men. The film avoids the 'freakshow' elements on the whole (except the inclusion of a Jackson wannabe whose adulation has made him cosmetically change his appearance to resemble the star), and is better for it. This leaves us with a balanced and honest film that goes some way to understanding the power of celebrity and the nature of obsession.