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Searching for Sugar Man

  • 2012
  • PG-13
  • 1h 26m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
75K
YOUR RATING
Searching for Sugar Man (2012)
Two South Africans set out to discover what happened to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious 1970s rock n roller, Rodriguez.
Play trailer1:53
16 Videos
45 Photos
Music DocumentaryBiographyDocumentaryMusic

Two South Africans set out to discover what happened to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious 1970s rock n roller, Rodriguez.Two South Africans set out to discover what happened to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious 1970s rock n roller, Rodriguez.Two South Africans set out to discover what happened to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious 1970s rock n roller, Rodriguez.

  • Director
    • Malik Bendjelloul
  • Writers
    • Malik Bendjelloul
    • Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman
    • Craig Bartholomew Strydom
  • Stars
    • Rodriguez
    • Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman
    • Dennis Coffey
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.2/10
    75K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Malik Bendjelloul
    • Writers
      • Malik Bendjelloul
      • Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman
      • Craig Bartholomew Strydom
    • Stars
      • Rodriguez
      • Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman
      • Dennis Coffey
    • 237User reviews
    • 263Critic reviews
    • 79Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 44 wins & 33 nominations total

    Videos16

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:53
    Official Trailer
    Theatrical Version
    Trailer 2:01
    Theatrical Version
    Theatrical Version
    Trailer 2:01
    Theatrical Version
    Searching for Sugar Man
    Trailer 1:59
    Searching for Sugar Man
    Searching for Sugar Man
    Trailer 2:17
    Searching for Sugar Man
    Searching for Sugar Man
    Trailer 2:22
    Searching for Sugar Man
    Searching for Sugar Man
    Clip 0:45
    Searching for Sugar Man

    Photos45

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    + 38
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    Top cast19

    Edit
    Rodriguez
    Rodriguez
    • Self
    • (as Sixto Rodriguez)
    Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman
    Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman
    • Self - Record Shop Owner
    Dennis Coffey
    Dennis Coffey
    • Self - Co-Producer, Cold Fact 1970
    Mike Theodore
    • Self - Co-Producer, Cold Fact 1970
    Dan DiMaggio
    • Self - Bartender, The Brewery
    Jerome Ferretti
    • Self - Bricklayer
    Steve Rowland
    Steve Rowland
    • Self - Producer, Coming from Reality 1971
    Willem Möller
    • Self - Musician
    Craig Bartholomew Strydom
    • Self - Music Journalist
    • (as Craig Bartholomew-Strydom)
    Ilse Assmann
    • Self - Former Apartheid Archivist
    Steve M. Harris
    • Self - Teal Trutone
    Robbie Mann
    • Self - RPM Records
    Clarence Avant
    Clarence Avant
    • Self - Former Chairman of Motown Records
    Eva Rodriguez
    • Self - Rodriguez's Eldest Daughter
    Regan Rodriguez
    • Self - Rodriguez's Youngest Daughter
    Sandra Rodriguez-Kennedy
    • Self - Rodriguez's Middle Daughter
    Rick Emmerson
    • Self - Construction Worker Colleague
    Rian Malan
    Rian Malan
    • Self - Journalist and Writer
    • Director
      • Malik Bendjelloul
    • Writers
      • Malik Bendjelloul
      • Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman
      • Craig Bartholomew Strydom
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews237

    8.274.7K
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    Featured reviews

    10justagirldc

    By far THE BEST story I have every heard!!!

    This movie is a MUST SEE. If you are a musician or songwriter and you have ever questioned the importance of what it is that you do, you need to see this film. This was the most inspiring thing I have ever seen. Aside from the unbelievable story, the cinematography had some very great moments and not to mention a stellar sound track. I am recommending this film to everyone I know. The only drawback is that because it is an indie film, it is very hard to find. It is only playing in one theater in my area (DC), and that's West End. I really hope this films picks up and begins showing in more theaters. Until then, I will continue to promote this film via word of mouth because I believe in it so much. ...Amazing things happen.
    9clarkj-565-161336

    Great Art Always Survives

    This documentary really grows on you. As the story and the search begins, you slowly but surely get caught up in the narrative. For me the amazing part of this journey is the composure and serenity of Rodriguez himself. Despite the lack of recognition in his own country, he continued to lead a rich life filled with hope and creativity. Just looking at his 3 beautiful daughters is testament to this. The sound tracks are really wonderful and take you back to the 60s and 70s. Another interesting facet of this movie is the exploration of the overthrow of Apartheid. Many who embraced the music of Rodriquez were Africaaners who were looking for change and a better life for everyone in their country. You come out of this movie believing in a better world.
    10djdavig

    West LA Loves Sixto Rodriguez

    The Landmark Theatre in West LA is a tough crowd but they were laughing and crying and when it was over they were applauding. This is what movie magic is all about. I wandered in and was blown away. Where can I get the soundtrack?? Holy! Crap!!

    Sixto is what Dylan could have been. That's right he's better than Bob. Better writer, better vocalist by tenfold. Unlike The Jester this guy never sold out and walked the talk until the bitter end.

    I've always believed the world's best talent goes unrecognized most of the time but the story of Sixto Rodriguez puts that theory into the "true" category once and for all and I will never doubt it again. Please recognize this man's work! Hopefully his daughters will continue to work toward that end both in the USA and South Africa.
    10BarbP451

    Well worth your time...

    This film was by far our favorite at the True/False Film Festival in Columbia Missouri this past spring.

    The delights of "Searching for Sugar Man" are revealed along the way, as the story unspools over decades and continents. I BEG YOU to cover your eyes and ears if you happen to see a trailer at your local indie theater - the art of the trailer is apparently a lost one, and most of the surprises are spoiled in the promotion prepared for this film.

    The director received a well-earned standing ovation at True/False, and wept - he and other directors said that T/F was the first audience of "real people" to see their respective films, apparently Sundance is peopled with "not real people"?

    And be prepared to have the music playing in your head for some time to come.
    10georgep53

    One Of the Best Films Of the Year

    I'm going to add my voice such as it is to the chorus of accolades for "Searching For Sugar Man". I loved it. It is indeed an incredible true story about a folk singer named Rodriquez who became a sensation in South Africa while remaining in obscurity in his native US. He's not the first person to be given the boot in his hometown (the Bible has something to say on this subject) but upon listening to the wonderful soundtrack of this film it is a sad commentary. There's plenty of humor here as well in this tale of parallel universes: one in which Rodriquez is Elvis and another where he's scarcely a blip on the radar. The film begins as an investigation by curious fans seeking to learn about the whereabouts of Rodriquez and what may have happened to him. The stories circulating about him are not promising but they are undaunted and continue to search for answers. I think everyone who sees "Searching For Sugar Man" will be thankful that they did.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Some parts of the documentary were shot on an iPhone App called 8mm Vintage Camera after the producers ran out of film for an expensive real 8mm camera. The app cost only £1.49/$1.99. Director Malik Bendjelloul was cash strapped from making the documentary.
    • Goofs
      During the credits there is a spelling error - It says "Mabu Vinly" instead of "Mabu Vinyl"
    • Quotes

      Rodriguez: Thanks for keeping me alive!

    • Connections
      Featured in 60 Minutes: Huawei/Sticker Shock/Rodriguez (2012)
    • Soundtracks
      Sugar Man
      Written by Rodriguez (as Sixto Rodriguez)

      Courtesy of Hey Day Entertainment, LLC by arrangement

      with Light in the Attic Records & Distribution, LLC

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    FAQ19

    • How long is Searching for Sugar Man?Powered by Alexa
    • What labels has he been signed to?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 26, 2012 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • Sweden
      • United Kingdom
      • Finland
    • Official site
      • Official site (United States)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
      • Afrikaans
    • Also known as
      • Đi tìm người đàn ông ngọt ngào
    • Filming locations
      • Detroit, Michigan, USA
    • Production companies
      • Red Box Films
      • Passion Pictures
      • Canfield Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $3,696,196
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $27,459
      • Jul 29, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $9,380,680
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 26 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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