Searching for Sugar Man (2012)

Really Surprised!

Great Film overall

Captivating movie !

The first must-see film of the year.

I enjoyed his music but the over production and addition of background instruments ruined it for me. It was like they were trying to turn everything into "Bridge Over Troubled Water". Bands that have covered his songs have created some awesome music. I would love for their to be a compilation album with assorted hard core rockers

Picture having the lyricism and inspiring ability to strum melodies powerful enough to lead thousands through a dark period of oppression. Sixto Rodriguez's powerful music did just that when it reached the youth of South Africa during the movement against the discriminatory system of racial segregation known as the Apartheid. Despite his popularity reaching greater lengths than even Elvis at the time, Rodriguez had no idea of his fame. Similarly, his fans knew very little of him and was believed to have committed suicide as a result of his mysterious persona. While he lived a modest life in Detroit, loyal fans such as Stephen "Sugar" Segerman constantly searched to find out more about their long lost hero. Malik Bendjelloul's Searching for Sugar Man (2012) follows the search for Rodriguez, a man with a very distinguishable walk, who was deprived of his fame and fortune due to geographical barriers and under appreciation of art. The film skillfully uses Rodriguez's music as the soundtrack and dramatic silence to trigger an emotional response. This manipulation of sound allows viewers to form a connection and relate to those that his music impacted (they were also really good songs). The leitmotif of the song Sugarman ties the film together and ultimately brings a sense of familiarity. The film is able to capture Rodriguez's humility through the words of those that are closest to him. The use of animated visuals in what appears to be slight slow motion keeps the audience engaged by setting the tone and "flowing" with his music. The viewer was also kept visually intrigued by the mixing of camera strategy throughout the film. Simple camera work depicted the realness of the documentary while the noticeably old recordings of his performances added to the overall artistic appeal of the film. Bendjelloul proved that simplicity and authenticity can bring forth well deserved success, much like it did for Rodriguez.

Coming from the standpoint of someone who did not know who the musician Rodriguez was prior to watching the film Searching For Sugarman, I personally had a very different perception of this film. Searching For Sugarman is a documentary surrounding the mysterious story of Rodriguez- a singer/songwriter who, despite his artistic excellence, could not seem to succeed in the American music industry, however, become "bigger than Elvis" in South Africa. While the film revolves around finding out whether Rodriguez is dead or alive, Benjelloul takes the audience on journey from diving into his unfortunate beginning, to his rumored suicide in front of thousands after a performance. Benjelloul initially presents Rodriguez in a very cryptic way; and as a viewer who didn't know Rodriguez, I spent a lot of the beginning of the film in a complete rut trying to figure out who he was. The film opens with dialogue from Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman- a record shop owner in South Africa- who introduces Rodriguez by means of communicating the impact that Rodriguez had on the entirety of South Africa. Segerman's introduction of Rodriguez sets the tempo of the film in how all of the opening characters speak of Rodriguez's borderline godly impact on the people of South Africa. However, Benjelloul's purposefully parallels Rodriguez's impact on South Africa along with how little people knew about him in United States to create a sense of suspense. The audience is constantly wondering who he is, while simultaneously being guided into joining "the hunt" for Rodriguez. If you don't know who Rodriguez is, you are almost inclined to jump out of your seat and try to find him yourself.

***SPOILER ALERT*** Searching for Sugar Man, directed by the late Malik Bendjelloul, tells a story that would be considered a modern fairy tale. Rodriguez is introduced as a mystery, a prophet, and untraceable man. The mystery is built up by using low key lighting, shadows, and foggy images. Sound is used to create an eerie feeling, build up excitement, or lack of sound highlights the importance of a scene. Playing Rodriguez's actual soundtrack, makes the audience realize the true beauty in his music, and wonder why he never made it in the music industry. While the audience wants the mystery to remain unsolved, it is slowly revealed that he is in fact not dead, but alive. Even though his story is unraveled, Rodriguez is still portrayed as mysterious by not showing his full face often, wearing sunglasses, dark clothes, and by following him to places without destinations. This beautiful story is effectively told by using real footage and cartoon animations, not only to keep the audience interested, but also to make the beginning of the film a puzzle. The lack of filters, mise-en-scene, and costuming add to Rodriguez's down to earth persona and authenticity, making it difficult not to like him.Despite Rodriguez's failures, he persevered and continued taking chances, knowing he may not succeed, such as becoming mayor. Rodriguez was not hindered by his failures, he went right back to work and carried good morale; he showed his daughters that even though life had dealt him bad cards, there was still a bigger and better world. Not only does it show the power of perseverance, but it makes you feel tiny; Rodriguez was a legend, but lived his life as a "failed" American rock star. This film highlights the importance of accepting failures, not allowing them to hinder your life and that the world is a much bigger place.