Searching for Sugar Man (2012)

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

Director:

Malik Bendjelloul

Writers:

Malik Bendjelloul, Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman (article)

Stars:

Rodriguez, Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman, Dennis Coffey

Won 1 Oscar. Another 43 wins & 33 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman	...	Self - Record Shop Owner
Dennis Coffey	...	Self - Co-Producer, Cold Fact 1970
Mike Theodore	...	Self - Co-Producer, Cold Fact 1970
Dan DiMaggio	...	Self - Bartender, The Brewery
Jerome Ferretti	...	Self - Bricklayer
Steve Rowland	...	Self - Producer, Coming from Reality 1971
Willem Möller	...	Self - Musician
Craig Bartholomew Strydom	...	Self - Music Journalist (as Craig Bartholomew-Strydom)
Ilse Assmann	...	Self - Former Apartheid Archivist
Steve M. Harris	...	Self - Teal Trutone
Robbie Mann	...	Self - RPM Records
Clarence Avant	...	Self - Former Chairman of Motown Records
Eva Rodriguez	...	Self - Rodriguez's Eldest Daughter
Rodriguez	...	Self (as Sixto Rodriguez)
Regan Rodriguez	...	Self - Rodriguez's Youngest Daughter

Storyline

In the early 1970s, Sixto Rodriguez was a Detroit folksinger who had a short-lived recording career with only two well received but non-selling albums. Unknown to Rodriguez, his musical story continued in South Africa where he became a pop music icon and inspiration for generations. Long rumored there to be dead by suicide, a few fans in the 1990s decided to seek out the truth of their hero's fate. What follows is a bizarrely heartening story in which they found far more in their quest than they ever hoped, while a Detroit construction laborer discovered that his lost artistic dreams came true after all.

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Plot Keywords:

songwriter | presumed dead | censorship | search | recording artist | 

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Taglines:

He was a star in the making, who vanished without a trace. But on the other side of the world, he inspired a generation.

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some drug references

Did You Know?

Trivia

Only film directed by Malik Bendjelloul.

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Goofs

During the credits there is a spelling error - It says "Mabu Vinly" instead of "Mabu Vinyl"

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Quotes

Rick Emmerson: He had this kind of magical quality that all the genuine poets and artists have: to elevate things. To get above the mundane, the prosaic. All the bullshit. All the mediocrity that's everywhere. The artist, the artist is the pioneer.

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Connections

Referenced in Atypical: Searching for Brown Sugar Man (2019)

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Soundtracks

Crucify Your Mind
Written by Rodriguez (as Sixto Rodriguez)
Courtesy of Hey Day Entertainment, LLC by arrangement
with Light in the Attic Records & Distribution, LLC

User Reviews

By far THE BEST story I have every heard!!!

This movie is a MUST SEE. If you are a musician or songwriter and you have ever questioned the importance of what it is that you do, you need to see this film. This was the most inspiring thing I have ever seen. Aside from the unbelievable story, the cinematography had some very great moments and not to mention a stellar sound track. I am recommending this film to everyone I know. The only drawback is that because it is an indie film, it is very hard to find. It is only playing in one theater in my area (DC), and that's West End. I really hope this films picks up and begins showing in more theaters. Until then, I will continue to promote this film via word of mouth because I believe in it so much. ...Amazing things happen.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [United States]

Country:

Sweden UK Finland

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 July 2012 (UK)

Also Known As:

Searching for Sugar Man

Filming Locations:

Cape Town, South Africa

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$27,459, 29 July 2012

Gross USA:

$3,696,196

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,133,712

Company Credits

Production Co:

Red Box Films, Passion Pictures, Canfield Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1