- Actors: Rodriguez, Clarence Avant, Malik Bendjelloul
- Directors: Malik Bendjelloul
- Format: PAL
- Language: English
- Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired: English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.78:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 12
- Studio: studiocanal
- DVD Release Date: 27 Dec 2012
- Run Time: 86 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (346 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B008CP2E7C
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
662 in DVD & Blu-ray (See Top 100 in DVD & Blu-ray)
- #8 in DVD & Blu-ray > Documentary
- #12 in DVD & Blu-ray > Music DVDs
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Product Description
The Academy Award-winning producer of Man on Wire unveils the incredible and moving story of Rodriguez, a ‘70s U.S. rock icon who never was.
In the late ‘60s, a musician was discovered in a Detroit bar by two celebrated producers who were struck by his soulful melodies and prophetic lyrics. They recorded an album that they believed was going to secure his reputation as one of the greatest recording artists of his generation. Despite overwhelming critical acclaim, the album bombed and the singer disappeared into obscurity amid rumors of a gruesome on-stage suicide. But a bootleg recording found its way into apartheid South Africa and, over the next two decades, it became a phenomenon. Two South African fans then set out to find out what really happened to their hero. Their investigation led them to a story more extraordinary than any of the existing myths about the artist known as Rodriguez. This is a film about hope, inspiration and the resonating power of music.
Bonus Features
- Making Of
- Commentary with Director Malik Bendjelloul and Sixto Rodriguez
In the late ‘60s, a musician was discovered in a Detroit bar by two celebrated producers who were struck by his soulful melodies and prophetic lyrics. They recorded an album that they believed was going to secure his reputation as one of the greatest recording artists of his generation. Despite overwhelming critical acclaim, the album bombed and the singer disappeared into obscurity amid rumors of a gruesome on-stage suicide. But a bootleg recording found its way into apartheid South Africa and, over the next two decades, it became a phenomenon. Two South African fans then set out to find out what really happened to their hero. Their investigation led them to a story more extraordinary than any of the existing myths about the artist known as Rodriguez. This is a film about hope, inspiration and the resonating power of music.
Bonus Features
- Making Of
- Commentary with Director Malik Bendjelloul and Sixto Rodriguez
From Amazon.co.uk
If you hadn’t heard of Sixto Rodriguez, you’re in good company. An American songwriter of Motown lineage, Rodriguez’ talents never managed to take root in the West. But for a generation of South Africans his quiet anthems became a mouthpiece of opposition to the apartheid regime, as central to the censorship protests as Dylan to the civil rights movement. As his legend grew in the 1970s, the real Rodriguez faded--idling in his career and eventually dying in grotesque circumstances on stage. His rediscovery, the subject of this intensely uplifting documentary, is a rare victory for wishful thinking, lifelong dreaming and hoping against hope. In the late nineties, two journalists hit the road to find out how Rodriguez died and what happened to his legacy. Their leads go nowhere--until a deciphered lyric from Rodriguez’ feted album Cold Fact clues them into the intricate details of an unfulfilled life. A gentle and painfully exploited soul, Rodriquez retired from music to study philosophy, returning home to tough out the implosion of Detroit as a construction hand, always neatly dressed in an evening suit and a shroud of stardust. As the city was hollowed out by a collapsing motor industry, Rodriguez stayed behind to help: assisting demolitions and eventually running for political office in the 1980s. These details gather into a dazzling surprise, and the last half hour of Searching for Sugarman is a joyous victory parade in which a folk hero is restored to a wounded generation. Shot through with Rodriguez’ poppy folk--painful city isolation sweetened with dusty sunshine--Searching for Sugarman is both a pulse-raising, one-in-a-million comeback story, and, winning at the 2013 Oscars and propelling Rodriguez to stratospheric stardom, its own happy ending. --Leo Batchelor
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
45 of 46 people found the following review helpful
By shawnf
Format:DVD
I am South African and I loved this film. A trip down memory lane like no other. Every song brought back memories of the times we lived in, how we wished to change the landscape we found ourselves in. To actually find about the man who made us question our government, our religion, our parents - was simple marvellous. To discover more about how he lived his own values. To meet his family, to be reminded of ones own family. I really hope he tours again. To see him in the flesh like the lucky few who have would be a highlight of my life. A true inspiration.
69 of 72 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have just pre-ordered this DVD because it made such a profound impact on me when I saw it on the big screen at the Tyneside Cinema.
It is a brilliant film. I already liked his music but I came away in awe of the man. He is everything the average, dumb-head pop star isn't. He's talented, inconspicuous and meek and a very kind, gentle human being. One of the things that almost moved me to tears was the bit in the film where his daughter says the money he latterly earned from his success he gave away to the poor of Detroit. Brilliant! I hope I would do that in the same situation!
It's a film filled with drama and emotion, telling a story chronologically and with powerful imagery from Detroit and Cape Town backed up by spine-tingling music from the man himself.
If you don't enjoy and even love this film I will be frankly amazed. He is playing at the Sage Newcastle on 24th Nov - I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!
It is a brilliant film. I already liked his music but I came away in awe of the man. He is everything the average, dumb-head pop star isn't. He's talented, inconspicuous and meek and a very kind, gentle human being. One of the things that almost moved me to tears was the bit in the film where his daughter says the money he latterly earned from his success he gave away to the poor of Detroit. Brilliant! I hope I would do that in the same situation!
It's a film filled with drama and emotion, telling a story chronologically and with powerful imagery from Detroit and Cape Town backed up by spine-tingling music from the man himself.
If you don't enjoy and even love this film I will be frankly amazed. He is playing at the Sage Newcastle on 24th Nov - I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
"...I Think Of You..." - Searching For Sugar Man (featuring RODRIGUEZ) on BLU RAY
15 Mar 2014
Format:Blu-ray
In some respects to review the fantastic documentary film "Searching For Sugar Man" is to ruin it. But here's the 'some-info' version minus spoilers...
Sixto Diaz Rodriguez (pronounced Sees-Toe) was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1942 to recently emigrated Mexican parents. From the early to late Sixties, Motown had put the Motor City on the musical map - so emerging singer-songwriters cut their teeth in bars and cafes, soaked up the campus/street politics and hoped to get noticed. After an early 7" single in 1967 on Impact that folded without trace - enter Producer Dennis Coffey and Sussex Records (home of Bill Withers). Sixto's debut American album "Cold Fact" was released Stateside March 1970 on Sussex SXBS 7000 - followed the next year by "Coming From Reality" - November 1971 on Sussex SXBS 7012. But despite their musical quality - few noticed locally. Legend in fact has it that "Coming From Reality" sold less than 20 copies.
Cut to the other side of the world - South Africa - and young black and white kids are plagued by Apartheid. With lyrics like "drinking from a Judas cup...papa don't like new ideas round here..." or "I wonder will this hatred ever end?" - they pick up on the Arthur Lee melodies and the Bob Dylan protest lyrics and the soulful Jose Feliciano voice and the album becomes a huge hit over there. So Rodriguez tours and those shows are emblazoned into the memory. But then the mysterious American immigrant troubadour disappears...some even ruminating that he's dead - or never existed at all.
Cut to decades later and a South African secondhand record-store owner wonders what happened to this huge and positive influence in his life? And so the journey begins...searching for the sugar man... Read more ›
Sixto Diaz Rodriguez (pronounced Sees-Toe) was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1942 to recently emigrated Mexican parents. From the early to late Sixties, Motown had put the Motor City on the musical map - so emerging singer-songwriters cut their teeth in bars and cafes, soaked up the campus/street politics and hoped to get noticed. After an early 7" single in 1967 on Impact that folded without trace - enter Producer Dennis Coffey and Sussex Records (home of Bill Withers). Sixto's debut American album "Cold Fact" was released Stateside March 1970 on Sussex SXBS 7000 - followed the next year by "Coming From Reality" - November 1971 on Sussex SXBS 7012. But despite their musical quality - few noticed locally. Legend in fact has it that "Coming From Reality" sold less than 20 copies.
Cut to the other side of the world - South Africa - and young black and white kids are plagued by Apartheid. With lyrics like "drinking from a Judas cup...papa don't like new ideas round here..." or "I wonder will this hatred ever end?" - they pick up on the Arthur Lee melodies and the Bob Dylan protest lyrics and the soulful Jose Feliciano voice and the album becomes a huge hit over there. So Rodriguez tours and those shows are emblazoned into the memory. But then the mysterious American immigrant troubadour disappears...some even ruminating that he's dead - or never existed at all.
Cut to decades later and a South African secondhand record-store owner wonders what happened to this huge and positive influence in his life? And so the journey begins...searching for the sugar man... Read more ›
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Verified Purchase
I had the fortune/misfortune to spend my teenage years in South Africa under the stifling regime that was Apartheid. Now as a white person my experiences were no where near as bad for me as it was for the indigenous black population.
Only State controlled media was allowed and TV was still a couple of years away, but out of the fog of State Censorship came Cold Fact followed by After the Fact. And Rodriguez entered the life of a frustrated teenager.
I am happy to see that nearly 40 years later this artist who played such a large role in my teenage angst is getting the recognition, and royalties, he richly deserves. This documentary is well made and well worth the BAFTA, and hopefully an Oscar, it has already won. If you don't know of Rodriguez then this documentary is a great introduction to his story and music, if like me his music played constantly around the camp fire, the bedroom, the car and anywhere else you could play it as a teenager, then enjoy the trip down memory lane.
Searching For Sugar Man [Blu-ray]
Only State controlled media was allowed and TV was still a couple of years away, but out of the fog of State Censorship came Cold Fact followed by After the Fact. And Rodriguez entered the life of a frustrated teenager.
I am happy to see that nearly 40 years later this artist who played such a large role in my teenage angst is getting the recognition, and royalties, he richly deserves. This documentary is well made and well worth the BAFTA, and hopefully an Oscar, it has already won. If you don't know of Rodriguez then this documentary is a great introduction to his story and music, if like me his music played constantly around the camp fire, the bedroom, the car and anywhere else you could play it as a teenager, then enjoy the trip down memory lane.
Searching For Sugar Man [Blu-ray]
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By David Lusher
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
This beautifully made documentary is, like the story of Rodriguez, irresistible. How a musician, long forgotten in his own country, can be a superstar in another without him being aware of this is a screenwriter's dream. I suppose the story seems even more fantastic in our modern hot-news, hooked-up, internet-driven world. This is an absorbing film about a modest man whose music was played, recorded and released in the US in the early 1970s. His records 'Cold Fact' and 'Coming From Reality' did nothing and he quietly faded into obscurity. Meanwhile, in South Africa, his music quietly and steadily gained cult status. No-one knew anything about the musician until a journalist started digging. What he found was extraordinary and this film tells the story. Highly recommended. The albums are superb too.
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4.8 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Possibly the most magical musical story I've ever heard.
Published 3 days ago by Anthony Reckitt
3.0 out of 5 stars
Very Over-hyped
Searching for Sugar Man is a fairly interesting documentary while it lasts, but like a small minority of viewers, I fail see why this film is considered to be one of the best... Read more
Published 4 days ago by Billy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Amazing
Published 9 days ago by Gaelle S. Hammond
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magical DVD
This DVD was recommended to me by a trusted friend. It inspired me so much I just had to go and see SUGAR MAN. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Florence nightingale
5.0 out of 5 stars
Epic
A fantastic true story that all should watch.
Published 14 days ago by Darren Andrews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Excellent story, well worth watching
Published 16 days ago by DJT
2.0 out of 5 stars
I loved the film in the cinema so wanted a copy ...
Unfortunately it has very large subtitles in Dutch or French, neither of which can be switched off. It was so off putting I had to tape the lower part of my TV screen so I couldn't... Read more
Published 17 days ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Superb.
Published 17 days ago by Stuart Orsborn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Fantastic documentary - bought his two albums after watching on TV
Published 18 days ago by Mo
4.0 out of 5 stars
great story
Fascinating story well told. I'll be booking tickets to see him next time he plays over here.
Published 19 days ago by Couch Banana
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