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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

    8.274.8K
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    Featured reviews

    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.
    9ajvi99

    Long lost gem. Lovely movie and a must for fans of Dylan-esque music

    I caught this movie at an advanced screening at the UN during Mandela week and I must say I was pleasantly surprised by the movie and even more enthralled to discover this long, lost gem of music. The movie revolves around an up-and-coming Rock'n'roller from the 70s who recorded two albums and then disappeared into obscurity. His music was lost in the US but by a strange coincidence becomes a cult hit in South Africa and becomes a symbol of rebellion for the underground white, anti-apartheid sub-culture. The documentary is a lovely journey of discovery of the south africans who try to find the roots of this enigma and re-discover his music. I won't spoil too much but for fans of Dylan like music, this might be a long, lost gem and music that perhaps, at least now, deserves more recognition and appreciation.
    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.
    10CarpeDiemFilm

    A Must-See. Truly

    Rodriguez (Sugarman), is one of the greatest men I have ever known.

    This isn't a review, at least I don't consider it one; I don't review on IMDb, and there's a good chance I never will; but I feel compelled to leave my experience and thoughts, though briefly, here.

    I saw this movie today knowing nothing about the subject material or the man himself; after leaving the theatre into a dimming sunset I texted my friend "I have a new hero."

    That is probably the greatest praise I have ever gave a film.

    Soulful, touching, heartrending and uplifting, this film------ you cannot write this, you cannot make this up, it is a story of true brilliance and daunting inspiration. There is so much to commend, praise, remark about this movie... but honestly I don't want to cite any one thing because it would spoil the experience of watching the story unfold and the mystery of Sugarman being shaped weakened. The bottom line is: It is a story that is too real, poignant, and far-fetched to exist anywhere on a writer's board or in a screenplay; this is why documentaries will never die, and they will always have a reserved place in the realm of cinema, films of fiction and artistry just cannot pierce the depth that this one finds. It is one of the greatest documentaries I have ever seen, possibly the greatest.

    I cried throughout the picture. A must-see.

    I write this review with the intention that I hope to encourage others to go see this movie: If you do you won't regret it and if you see it years later on television, you'll regret you didn't take the chance when you had it.
    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.

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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
      • $9,351,115
    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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