Author/filmmaker Ian Halperin is behind “Gone Too Soon," an 88-minute documentary about Jackson that is culled from 300 hours of footage shot inside the singer's camp.
Shine International, which holds international distribution rights to the doc, will unveil “Gone Too Soon" at next month's MIPTV confab in Cannes. Pic is set for a theatrical run in Canada and France, via Transit Medias, on June 25 -- the first anniversary of Jackson's death.
Halperin wrote “Unmasked," which hit No. 1 last year on the New York Times' bestsellers list, after spending five years investigating Jackson.
Footage in “Gone Too Soon" includes new video and audio of Jackson shot before his death. It also includes interviews with Jackson's personal manager, chef, spiritual adviser, hairstylist, trainer, protective agent and attorney.
According to the filmmakers, Jackson family members were not involved but are aware of the film. Family attorney Brian Oxman is among the interviewees.
Despite its depiction of the more scandalous aspects of Jackson's life, Halperin called the movie “a balanced tribute to the King of Pop."
“This is the film Michael and his fans deserve," Halperin said.
Shine International president Chris Grant said the doc would “eventually be known as a really important piece of the Michael Jackson saga."
For more information contact All About Jazz.
