Sugar Man singer’s doccie to show in SA
Cape Town – A new documentary film about the life of a mysterious 70’s musician is set to be shown in selected cinemas around the country.
Searching for Sugar Man is about Detroit singer-songwriter Rodriguez who became a source of hope and inspiration to the anti-Apartheid movement in South Africa and then he disappeared.
Swedish based filmmaker Malik Bendjelloul, whose film subjects have included Sting, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Madonna and Mariah Carey, was searching for stories to bring to life when he was told about Rodriguez’s tale.
“I found the story in 2006. I was looking for stories, travelling around South Africa and America, and thinking the purpose was to sell them to Swedish TV, because I’d been working for Swedish TV before.
“It was the best story I’d ever heard in my life and probably ever will,” said Malik.
Disappeared into obscurity
Searching for Sugar Man sets out on a mission to find Rodriguez who became a household name in South Africa when his LP became a hit among anti-apartheid liberals in the 70’s.
Even though his LP did well and album Cold Fact is predicted to have reached platinum sales in South Africa alone, the singer disappeared into obscurity and there were many rumours about his fate.
The documentary already premiered in New York at the Tribeca Film Festival in April.
It will open in cinemas in New York and Los Angeles on 27 July and come to our shores on 31 August at selected cinemas.
For a complete release schedule, visit the film’s website at
Tickets are available on or by calling the Ster-Kinekor ticketline on 082 16789.
Watch the trailer below:
Cape Town – A new documentary film about mysterious 70s musician Sixto Diaz Rodriguez and his influence on two South African fans is set to be shown in selected cinemas around the country.
Searching for Sugar Man tells the story of Detroit singer-songwriter Rodriguez who, according to the film, became a source of hope and inspiration in apartheid South Africa before disappearing.
Swedish filmmaker Malik Bendjelloul, whose film subjects have included Sting, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Madonna and Mariah Carey, said this is the best story he’s ever heard.
“I found the story in 2006. I was looking for stories, travelling around South Africa and America, and thinking the purpose was to sell them to Swedish TV, because I’d been working for Swedish TV before.
“It was the best story I’d ever heard in my life and probably ever will,” said Bendjelloul.
Disappeared into obscurity
Searching for Sugar Man follows two South African fans who set out to discover what exactly happened to their idol.
Even though his LP did well and album Cold Fact is predicted to have reached platinum sales in South Africa alone, the singer disappeared into obscurity and was rumoured to be dead.
The documentary premiered in New York at the Tribeca Film Festival in April and went on to win the World Cinema Special Jury Prize and the Audience Award, World Cinema Documentary at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.
It will open in cinemas in New York and Los Angeles on 27 July and screens in South Africa from 31 August at selected cinemas.
For a complete release schedule, visit the film’s website at
Tickets are available on on the or by calling the Ster-Kinekor ticketline on 082 16789.
Watch the trailer below:
Cape Town – A new documentary film about the life of a mysterious 70’s musician is set to be shown in selected cinemas around the country.
Searching for Sugar Man is about Detroit singer-songwriter Rodriguez who became a source of hope and inspiration to the anti-Apartheid movement in South Africa and then he disappeared.
Swedish based filmmaker Malik Bendjelloul, whose film subjects have included Sting, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Madonna and Mariah Carey, was searching for stories to bring to life when he was told about Rodriguez’s tale.
“I found the story in 2006. I was looking for stories, travelling around South Africa and America, and thinking the purpose was to sell them to Swedish TV, because I’d been working for Swedish TV before.
“It was the best story I’d ever heard in my life and probably ever will,” said Malik.
Searching for Sugar Man sets out on a mission to find Rodriguez who became a household name in South Africa when his LP became a hit among anti-apartheid liberals in the 70’s.
Even though his LP did well and album Cold Fact is predicted to have reached platinum sales in South Africa alone, the singer disappeared into obscurity and there were many rumours about his fate.
The documentary already premiered in New York at the Tribeca Film Festival in April.
It will open in cinemas in New York and Los Angeles on 27 July and come to our shores on 31 August at selected cinemas.
For a complete release schedule, visit the film’s website at
Tickets are available on or by calling the Ster-Kinekor ticketline on 082 16789.
Watch the trailer below:
