Searching for Sugar Man
Directed by:
Malik BendjelloulScreenplay:
Malik BendjelloulCinematography:
Camilla SkagerströmComposer:
RodriguezVOD (2)
Plots(1)
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 rumours 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. (StudioCanal UK)
(more)Reviews (5)
If you’re not seeing and hearing it with your own eyes and ears, your mind would be reluctant to absorb something like this, as from the pen of a poor screenwriter. An almost unbelievable story about how talent and luck don't always go hand in hand. Rodriguez had the former, but he didn’t get the latter. Although that's relative… and I can't even write more than that, not even the slightest hint, lest it weaken the emotional impact for people who haven't seen this film yet. Myself, I had a chill run up my spine.
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Anyone writing this story as a movie script would get a lot of slag from critics, because something so complicated / unbelievable is hard to find. Only that it happened. And it got an Oscar.
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All bad in documentary terms. Manipulation with facts as it suits the authors, annoying editing (the cuts are noticeable, and that is always a problem in editing), not addressing obvious issues and, conversely, frequent lingering on less important subtopics. And it isn’t even clear what the creators wanted to get across for all chaotic information. In the end (unfortunately) it isn’t about Rodriguez at all, but if it’s about anything, it’s the incredible story behind his two albums. But even so, I would recommend this to each and everybody. But not as a documentary, but as the best sincerely moving modern fairytale for miles around.
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I've seen some really hilarious mystifying documentaries and feature films, but none of them looked as believable as Searching for Sugar Man. So imagine my surprise when the film ended and I learned that there was no hoax on the viewer, that it's all true! I had been wishing that it were true, that such a beautiful life story could indeed happen. And so I give a fifth star for the fact that it took place, which I probably would not give if it were a hoax.
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The document "Searching for Sugar Man" tells the story of how two men searched for the life of a legend and found the legend itself. It is about a man who, in his old age, received the recognition he deserved but never experienced a change in his life. The question is whether he wanted it. It is beautiful to see how his fate was at least partially fulfilled, it is nice to see that he at least learned how much he influenced people in South Africa and how much they listen to him here. Not only those who encountered his music in the 70s, but also those who were not even born at that time. An incredible story about a man who just wanted to make some music, faded away, and yet became a legend. I'm quite curious about how his life will continue. Maybe we will still get a new album from him someday, but I think today's consumption will quickly silence him again if it gives him a chance at all. This is simply a story that only life can write.
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