Back home

Searching for Sugar Man

978 votes

Producing House

Two South Africans set out to discover what happened to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious 1970s rock 'n' roller, Rodriguez.

movie

Status: Released

Released Date: 2012-06-30

Runtime: 85 mins

Director: Malik Bendjelloul

Writer: Malik Bendjelloul

Spoken language: English

Genres: Music, Documentary

Original title: Searching for Sugar Man

Production Companies: Passion Pictures, Red Box Films, Canfield Pictures

Production Countries: Sweden, United Kingdom

Reviews

b

badelf
This is probably the most enjoyable documentary film I've ever seen. It's about a singer from the 70s whom I've never heard of (although I'm old enough) even though he's clearly a better poet and songwriter than Bob Dylan (yes, I said that and I'm a poet so there's my credentials). If you know anything about the record industry, and about the reality of discrimination in the United States, then it's easy to understand how a Mexican singer/song writer of the 70s was ignored by the payola controlled DJs of the time and screwed by the record industry. The low-budget film itself is full of surprises, and the culmination of the search for Sugar Man is totally uplifting and heartwarming. If you love the music genre, this film is a must see - even if it's only for the delicious sound track.
2022-09-10

I

Igbochild
An endlessly fascinating and compelling story involving Rodriguez, a talented American singer-songwriter that should have been a household name, but instead quickly faded into obscurity. Long rumored to have died under tragic circumstances, his music develops a cult following among the Afrikaner youth. Rebelling against the oppressive and isolationist system of Apartheid, Rodriguez's music becomes a soundtrack for their lives. The documentary unfolds like a mystery story with unexpected twists and turns along the way. As the audience is taken on this journey, we are introduced to Rodriguez's songs (including some previously unreleased material) which while reminiscent of Bob Dylan and other artists on the scene in the early 1970s, the music is distinctly his own. A must see documentary for music fans.
2022-07-06

C

Cavalli
An unlikely and interesting story that is part historical, part investigation and ultimately satisfying. The historical backdrop of South Africa's dictatorship years and of the lack of communication it had with the outside world are key in understanding why this strange story could happen in the first place.
2019-08-11

t

tanty
An interesting story in a well driven story and high quality cut. However, it tries to be much more epic than what it actually is.
2014-04-05

Recommendations

Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives!
3.3

Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives!

1989-08-18

In the sixties, Eddie and the cruisers was the hottest band around. But the tragic death of its lead

The American Mall
2.7

The American Mall

2008-08-11

The executive producers of High School Musical keep the good times rolling with this upbeat musical

Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee
3

Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee

2009-10-09

An improvised comedy, shot over five days by Shane Meadows, devised with and starring Paddy Considin

King Leopold's Ghost
3.8

King Leopold's Ghost

2006-05-28

The modern history of the Congo, the heart of Africa, is a terrifying tale of appalling brutality: h

Salty Dog Blues
0

Salty Dog Blues

2012-01-01

The film looks at men and women of color in the U.S. Merchant Marine from 1938-1975. Through chronic

Music of the Heart
3.4

Music of the Heart

1999-10-29

After Roberta Guaspari separates from her husband, she receives encouragement from her mother to tak

30 Years of Democracy
4

30 Years of Democracy

2019-12-22

Two journalists born in the mid '80s decide to take a look back at how their country changed in the

The War Room
3.5

The War Room

1993-11-03

A behind-the-scenes documentary about the Clinton for President campaign, focusing on the adventures

Granny's Sexual Life
3

Granny's Sexual Life

2021-09-01

A trip into grandma's intimate life shows the status of Slovenian women in the first half of the 20t

Wonder Boy
0

Wonder Boy

2017-08-03

Directed by the Singaporean composer Dick Lee himself, this biopic of his youth, covers three years

1979: Big Bang of the Present
2.9

1979: Big Bang of the Present

2019-12-10

Deng Xiaoping's economic and political opening in China. Margaret Thatcher's extreme economic measur

Ruki Vverh!
3.9

Ruki Vverh!

2024-10-10

On the eve of the big concert "Hands up!" an attempt is made on the lead singer of the legendary ban

Disco Europe Express
3.5

Disco Europe Express

2019-09-15

Despite its Afro-American origins, the history of disco music, the soundtrack of the seventies, woul

I Can Only Imagine
3.8

I Can Only Imagine

2018-02-14

Growing up in Greenville, Texas, Bart Millard suffers physical and emotional abuse at the hands of h

The Runaways
3.3

The Runaways

2010-03-19

Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, two rebellious teenagers from Southern California, become the frontwome

Ruusu ja kulkuri
0

Ruusu ja kulkuri

1948-11-05

The story of Finnish singer Abraham 'Aappo' Ojanperä, who was born in the late 1850s. On his journey

The Yellow Tie
4

The Yellow Tie

2025-11-14

The extraordinary life of Sergiu Celibidache, from his childhood in Romania to his exile in pursuit

Becoming Led Zeppelin
3.6

Becoming Led Zeppelin

2025-02-05

The individual journeys of the four members of the band, as they move through the music scene of the

Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale
3.5

Boblo Boats: A Detroit Ferry Tale

2021-09-22

For over 85 years, steamship Ste. Claire transported generations of Detroiters to Boblo Island, an a

Romeo Santos: Utopia Live from MetLife Stadium
3.7

Romeo Santos: Utopia Live from MetLife Stadium

2021-06-25

In this Concert he focuses on the star and most important defender of bachata, the Dominican singer