The hometown screening of “Michael” in Gary marked a full-circle moment as the Jackson family sat in the theater seats to watch their story come to life, surrounded by the community they came from.
Jafaar Jackson, son of Jermaine Jackson, took on his first acting role to play his uncle, Michael Jackson, in the biopic.
“I mean, as a kid, I would watch his tours. My favorite was the Dangerous Tour and also the Bad Tour,” Jafaar Jackson said. “I would dance and try to copy his moves, but I never thought I’d be portraying him. It’s just crazy I’m in this position now. It’s a wonderful life.”
On Monday evening, the black carpet was rolled out at West Side Leadership Academy for one of the first screenings of the film. Gary Mayor Eddie Melton and the Gary International Black Film Festival teamed up with the Michael Jackson Estate and Lionsgate to host a screening of “Michael,” set for major release on April 24.
Rather than the regular crimson color emblematic of the red carpet, a black carpet was symbolically chosen as the centerpiece to celebrate Black artists.
Prince Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Jafaar Jackson and Jermaine Jackson stepped foot once again in the city their family once called home. Jafaar Jackson said it was his second time visiting Gary; his last visit was when he was only 13 years old.
As he stood in the 672 square-foot bungalow at 2300 Jackson Street, he could imagine his father and uncles singing and dancing in the living room — a scene in the movie that drew cheers from the crowd.
“It was so grounding,” Jafaar Jackson said. “It really humbled me, and it makes me appreciate where I come from, because that’s the roots. That’s where it all started. And it really puts it into perspective of how hard they worked and the vision that my grandfather, Joseph, had for my father and uncles.”
Jackie Jackson, original member of the Jackson 5, said it all began in that little two-bedroom house, which is why it was crucial to bring one of the first screenings to Gary.
“It’s important to bring this home here, because this is where we all started,” Jackie Jackson said. “And wherever we go, around the world, we talk about it here because it matters. It’s on the map because we talk so much about where we started. All of my fans around the world know about Gary, Indiana.”
The movie was sparked by sheer chance, said “Michael” producer Graham King.
“First of all, I met Jermaine in 1981 when I worked at a gas station in Encino (California),” King said. “He came in to get gas in his car, and he invited me to play softball with him and his brothers in the park on a Saturday afternoon. And that’s how I met the Jacksons, and now I’m here with them, setting their life stories. So it’s been an incredible, obviously long, journey.”
King has since produced more than 45 films, including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Argo,” “The Departed,” “The Aviator” and “Gangs of New York.” While there have been documentaries about Michael Jackson that have come out over the decades, he felt the musical artist’s life story deserved more. King said he prepared for the film by “just not taking no for an answer” in Hollywood, pushing for the film’s creation for years.
“I felt like they deserved a big theatrical event film,” King said. “And certainly the music in their lives, and certainly Michael’s lean into that. And I wanted to show a side of Michael that you don’t see on YouTube and humanize him for the world. As we know, he’s taken out of context a lot, there’s a lot said about him, and he’s not here to defend himself when things are said about him. And I thought, let the film tell the story. Let’s engage with an audience. Hopefully, we can entertain them but also tell them a story about who he was.”
While Jafaar Jackson has never acted before, King saw him as the manifestation of the King of Pop, from his passion for music to his voice and personality.
“I felt more that he embodied his uncle than he embodied his father,” King said. “And it was uncanny, and it was very moving, but also disturbing for me because it was a sign. I was given a sign that he’s the only one. I also auditioned 200 impersonators around the world to play Michael. And (Jafaar) trained day and night. He would come over to my house five times a week, and we would run scenes, and we would watch movies, and talk about acting. And then I got him the best team in Hollywood, because I wanted to set him up to win. I am so proud of him, and so proud of his performance. Now I have got to keep his feet on the ground.”
Toni Simpson, of the Gary International Black Film Festival, said plans to bring “Michael” for a hometown screening in Gary have been in the works since last October, when the film festival organizers began talks with Lionsgate Films. While the screening was free, donations were collected for the West Side Theater Guild to benefit youth programs at West Side Leadership Academy.
“We wanted to bring ‘Michael’ here to reclaim the stories of Gary, Indiana,” Simpson said. “It’s like a resurgence, a rebirth. It’s a change of the narrative. A city is made of people, and the people of Gary are beautiful. We are first in a lot of things, and now we are one of the first to screen this historic movie.”
Before the screening, Melton awarded Jafaar Jackson a key to the city, saying “We welcome you home, and in order to do a proper welcome, you need a key.” For Gary’s mayor, the first time he remembers being awed by Michael Jackson was watching the music video for “Billie Jean” when he was a kid.
“In the video, he was walking down the street and the sidewalk was lighting up,” Melton said. “As a kid watching MTV, and you see a video like that, it caught my attention. Of course, ‘Thriller’ is right alongside of that. When you realize, as a kid, that you see the greatest entertainer in the world and he’s from the same city you’re from — it’s different. It opens the doors to what you think is possible.”
Melton said that the city has a longstanding relationship with the Jackson family, who recently donated to bolster musical arts programs for Gary students.
“The Jackson family is here in this city because they’ve done so much already,” Melton said. “We’ve been working on some things right now, and something I can’t really discuss at this point. But right now we’re just trying to pull together the ideas of all of the family members. How do we honor Michael? How do we honor everyone in their contributions to the world in the music industry? So, being very intentional on how we approach it and realistic. So, tell the world to stay tuned.”
Marlon Jackson, the former Jackson 5 member and singer and songwriter, said he wants to bring music programs back to the schools.
“Today, we just cut the ribbon in this high school for a recording studio,” Marlon Jackson said. “I think that’s important because, across the country, they’ve been taking music out of schools and now it needs to come back. It gives the kids something to do, and it inspires them and motivates them to achieve something.”
Jackie Jackson said the family is producing a new album, which will be coming out soon. He also alluded to some coming projects with the City of Gary, but said it’s too early to make any announcements.”
“Gary’s going to always be part of us,” Jackie Jackson said. “We’re doing some great things. I don’t want to say what it is right now, but we have got some great things happening in Gary, Indiana.”
For Jafaar Jackson, part of picking up his uncle’s torch isn’t just about taking the spotlight on stage, but using art to uphold and inspire a community.
“I think that was the message from the very beginning. Even when they were the Jackson 5, they always made sure they visited hospitals,” Jafaar Jackson said. “They cared about the less fortunate, and that message continues still to this day, and I want to continue that message. I think that’s most important. And to do that through art, or in any way you can, that’s the driving force, and that was my Uncle Michael’s message with everything.”
Anna Ortiz is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
