Searching for Sugar Man
Film which tells the story of how 60s American rocker Sixto Rodriguez became a phenomenon in South Africa after two fans turned detectives to find out what really happened to him.
Oscar-winning documentary which tells the remarkable story of the American rock icon who never was. With a great soundtrack, moving interviews and a breathtaking twist, this is the ultimate film about the resonating power of music.
In the late 60s, Detroit-based singer Sixto Rodriguez was momentarily hailed as the finest recording artist of his generation. But when his album bombed, he disappeared into oblivion amid rumours of a gruesome onstage suicide. The film tells the astonishing story of how a bootleg recording found its way into apartheid South Africa and became a phenomenon. Two South African fans turned detectives 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 realisation of deferred dreams.
The film is directed by Malik Bendjelloul who sadly died in May 2014.
Last on
Clip
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The search for Rodriguez begins
Duration: 02:58
Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
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00:00Rodriguez
Sugarman
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00:04Malik Bendjelloul
Outside The Bar
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00:04Malik Bendjelloul
Inside The Bar
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00:05Rodriguez
Crucify Your Mind
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00:10Rodriguez
Sugarman
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Rodriguez
I Wonder
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Rodriguez
Jane S. Piddy
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Rodriguez
The Establishment Blues
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Gereformeede Blues Band
Sit Dit Af
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Rodriguez
Can't Get Away
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00:45Rodriguez
Inner City Blues
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00:47Malik Bendjelloul
Is This Sugar
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00:47Rodriguez
Sandrevan Lullaby
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00:50Rodriguez
Street Boy
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00:53Rodriguez
Inner City Blues
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00:54Rodriguez
A Most Disgusting Song
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00:58Rodriguez
Sandrevan Lullaby
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01:02Rodriguez
Sandrevan Lullaby
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01:10Rodriguez
I Wonder
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01:11Rodriguez
Forget It
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01:15Rodriguez
Sandrevan Lullaby
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Rodriguez
I'll Slip Away
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01:20Rodriguez
Crucify Your Mind
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01:23Rodriguez
Sugarman
Simon Chinn, Producer of Searching for Sugar Man, remembers Director Malik Bendjelloul (14 September 1977 - 13 May 2014)
I received an email out of the blue in March 2011 from a first time Swedish director called Malik Bendjelloul asking if I'd be interested to produce his film - a passion project he'd been toiling over, essentially on his own and with very little money, for four years. ÌýHe said it was the best story he'd ever come across. ÌýSomething about his email intrigued me and I agreed to meet him and a few days later he bounded into my office with his infectious, puppyish enthusiasm. ÌýI was amazed no one else seemed to want to support his irresistible project and I knew instinctively that I wanted to go on this adventure with him, wherever it took us. ÌýWho knew then that the film would end up winning an Oscar?
Ìý
I feel incredibly fortunate that Malik Bendjelloul walked into my life when he did - and I find it unbelievable he is no longer here. ÌýEveryone who worked with Malik and considered him a friend is having difficulty reconciling the charming, generous, optimistic, kind soul we all remember with the news of his tragic and untimely death.ÌýÌýSearching for Sugar ManÌýis the purest expression of the personality we all remember - it was made with more love, passion, energy and commitment - not to mention talent - than any other film I have been involved in. Even though he had so much more to give the world, it is still an extraordinary legacy to leave in such a short life.
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Director | Malik Bendjelloul |
| Producer | Malik Bendjelloul |
| Producer | Simon Chinn |
| Executive Producer | John Battsek |
| Series Editor | Nick Fraser |
Broadcasts
- Fri 30 May 2014 21:00
- Sat 31 May 2014 00:45
- Mon 2 Jun 2014 00:55
