Searching for Sugar Man

An obsession to uncover the truth about an obscure singer-songwriter brings surprising and affecting revelations in Malik Bendjelloul's hugely entertaining, Sundance award-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man. Sixto Rodriguez was discovered in a small Detroit bar by Motown music executives who produced his first album in 1970. Although critically acclaimed, the record commercially bombed, and Rodriguez quickly faded into obscurity. Eventually, a rumor circulated that Rodriguez had committed suicide onstage, either by shooting himself or by self-immolation. Meanwhile a copy of his album found its way to South Africa, and as the protest movement against the apartheid regime began to gain steam among disaffected whites, several of Rodriguez's songs were adopted as anthems, with the singer becoming the voice of opposition despite official efforts of suppression. Apartheid ultimately died in South Africa, but Rodriguez's popularity lived on. A man named Stephen Segerman spearheaded a search for genuine biographical data on the singer, setting up a website that led to contact from one of Rodriguez's daughters, who informed him that the singer was still alive in Detroit. Rodriguez came to South Africa to perform before astonishingly large crowds who came out to hear this man who had been living a simple life for decades—unaware of the popularity his songs had achieved on another continent. Bendjelloul's absorbing film tells this fascinating tale through interviews, archival material, new footage, and lots of great music. A joyous surprise, this is highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Malik Bendjelloul and musician subject Sixto Rodriguez, a “making-of” featurette (31 min.), a Q&A with Bendjelloul and Rodriguez (11 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for this fine Oscar-nominated documentary.] (F. Swietek)