Searching for Sugar Man
Reviews
Andres Gomez
An interesting story in a well driven story and high quality cut. However, it tries to be much more epic than what it actually is.
Cavalli
An unlikely and interesting story that is part historical, part investigation and ultimately satisfying. The historical backdrop of South Africa's dictatorship years and of the lack of communication it had with the outside world are key in understanding why this strange story could happen in the first place.
Igbochild
An endlessly fascinating and compelling story involving Rodriguez, a talented American singer-songwriter that should have been a household name, but instead quickly faded into obscurity. Long rumored to have died under tragic circumstances, his music develops a cult following among the Afrikaner youth. Rebelling against the oppressive and isolationist system of Apartheid, Rodriguez's music becomes a soundtrack for their lives. The documentary unfolds like a mystery story with unexpected twists and turns along the way. As the audience is taken on this journey, we are introduced to Rodriguez's songs (including some previously unreleased material) which while reminiscent of Bob Dylan and other artists on the scene in the early 1970s, the music is distinctly his own. A must see documentary for music fans.
badelf
This is probably the most enjoyable documentary film I've ever seen. It's about a singer from the 70s whom I've never heard of (although I'm old enough) even though he's clearly a better poet and songwriter than Bob Dylan (yes, I said that and I'm a poet so there's my credentials). If you know anything about the record industry, and about the reality of discrimination in the United States, then it's easy to understand how a Mexican singer/song writer of the 70s was ignored by the payola controlled DJs of the time and screwed by the record industry. The low-budget film itself is full of surprises, and the culmination of the search for Sugar Man is totally uplifting and heartwarming. If you love the music genre, this film is a must see - even if it's only for the delicious sound track.
CinemaSerf
This is quite a curious documentary that at times made me wonder if the whole story was an hoax. It's all about Sixto Rodriguez who made a couple of albums in the early 1970s that had some critical acclaim but didn't track at all with the audience. Well not in the USA, they didn't. In South Africa it was rumoured that they shifted almost half a million copies before the singer was reputed to have set himself on fire - live on stage! Now this was long before there would have been any coverage and it seems the story became apocryphal - people claiming to have seen what they didn't. They didn't because the thrust of this piece is that someone has managed to track him down, very much alive and only just retired from working construction in Detroit. Imagine his delight when "Sugar" Segarman - a record shop owner and amateur detective in chief gets the chance to interview him! What ensues offers us a soundtrack of his music - I thought a sort of hybrid of Don McLean and Bob Dylan, whilst we listen to his version of events. A somewhat less exaggerated and newsworthy version at that. Peppered with a few interviews from music journalists along the way, Malik Bendjelloul delivers an intriguing look at this story. Do you believe it or not?
Movie Recommendation
Kumaré2012-06-20A documentary about a man who impersonates a wise Indian Guru and builds a following in Arizona. At the height of his popularity, the Guru Kumaré must reveal his true identity to his disciples and unveil his greatest teaching of all.More...
The Boat1921-11-10A boat builder and his family attempt to set sail in his handmade boat, 'The Damfino'.More...
Castle of Purity1973-05-10A disciplined and sexually driven man forces his family to stay isolated in their home in order to protect them from the “evil nature” of human beings.More...
Virus1980-06-26Scientists in Antarctica desperately try to find a cure to a military virus that was released in a plane crash and has wiped out the rest of the world.More...
The Invisible War2012-01-20An investigative and powerfully emotional documentary about the epidemic of rape of soldiers within the US military, the institutions that perpetuate and cover up its existence, and its profound personal and social consequences.More...
Waiting for "Superman"2010-09-24Gripping, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful, Waiting for Superman is an impassioned indictment of the American school system from An Inconvenient Truth director Davis Guggenheim.More...
The Gatekeepers2012-07-09In an unprecedented and candid series of interviews, six former heads of the Shin Bet — Israel's intelligence and security agency — speak about their role in Israel's decades-long counterterrorism campaign, discussing their controversial methods and whether the ends ultimately justify the means.More...
76 Days2020-09-10Raw and intimate, this documentary captures the struggles of patients and frontline medical professionals battling the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan.More...
The Consequences of Feminism1906-12-21It's a society in which gender roles are switched. Will men stand to be unequal?More...
A Bigger World2019-10-30In an attempt to move on from the death of Paul, the love of her life, Korine leaves Paris to undertake a project in Mongolia. But after meeting the shaman, Oyun, her trip takes a different direction. Korine has a rare gift that Oyun intends to unveil. She agrees to initiate herself in the practice of Shamanism, leading her to discover an ancient and forgotten culture, but most importantly herself.More...
In the Name of the Italian People1971-12-18An obscure Italian magistrate suspects that a well-known industrialist commited murder, and decides to investigate him, and bring him to court, whatever it takes. But - will the magistrate have it in him to go against impossible odds, in the name of the Italian people he represents?More...
American: The Bill Hicks Story2010-04-10American: The Bill Hicks Story is a biographical documentary film on the life of comedian Bill Hicks.More...
The Informers2008-11-05A collection of intersecting short stories set in early 1980s Los Angeles, depicts a week in the lives of an assortment of socially alienated, mainly well-off characters who numb their sense of emptiness with casual sex, violence, and drugs.More...
Corina2025-01-09Corina is 20 years old and does not leave her house except to work in a publishing house located in the neighborhood where she lives. After making a serious mistake with the end of the company's most famous book saga, Corina must overcome her fears with the help of Carlos and embark on a journey in search of a mysterious writer to save her job and that of her colleagues.More...
I Love You, I Don't1976-03-10The petite waitress Johnny works and lives in a truck-stop, where she's lonely and longs for love. She develops a crush on the garbage truck driver Krassky, although her sleazy boss Boris warns her that he's gay.More...
No End in Sight2007-07-27Chronological look at the fiasco in Iraq, especially decisions made in the spring of 2003 - and the backgrounds of those making decisions - immediately following the overthrow of Saddam: no occupation plan, an inadequate team to run the country, insufficient troops to keep order, and three edicts from the White House announced by Bremmer when he took over.More...
Aftermath2012-11-09Two brothers are trying to find out the truth from years ago. The whole town is against them.More...
Kurt & Courtney1998-02-27After rocker Kurt Cobain's death, ruled a suicide, a film crew arrives in Seattle to make a documentary. Director Nick Broomfield talks to lots of people. Portraits emerge: a shy, slight Kurt, weary of touring, embarrassed by fame, hooked on heroin; an out-going Courtney, dramatic, controlling, moving from groupie to star.More...
Great Photo, Lovely Life2023-03-10A photojournalist turns her lens on the decades of sexual abuse her family and community experienced at the hands of her grandfather in this unflinching portrait of intergenerational trauma, family secrets, and redemption.More...
Touchy Feely2013-09-06Abby is a sought after massage therapist and a free spirit, while her brother Paul thrives on routine, running a failing dental practice with his assistant and daughter Jenny. Suddenly, Abby develops an aversion to bodily contact, which not only makes her unable to do her job, but also severely affects her relationship with her boyfriend. As Abby navigates her way through an identity crisis, her brother's dental practice receives new life when clients seek out his “healing touch.”More...
Similar Movies
Amadeus
1984-09-19Disciplined Italian composer Antonio Salieri becomes consumed by jealousy and resentment towards the hedonistic and remarkably talented young Salzburger composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.Disco: Soundtrack of ...
2023-12-16From the sweaty basement bars of 70s New York to the glittering peak of the global charts, how disco conquered the world - its origins, its triumphs, its fall and its legacy.The American Question...
2024-10-29An 8-year journey into divided America, The American Question examines the insidious roots of polarization and distrust through past the past and present, revealing how communities can restore trust in each other to unite our country.Almost Famous
2000-09-15In 1973, 15-year-old William Miller's unabashed love of music and aspiration to become a rock journalist lands him an assignment from Rolling Stone magazine to interview and tour with the up-and-coming band, Stillwater.When the Masks are Ta...
1975-07-28A satirical anthology film transforms popular humorous and sarcastic stage songs into standalone vignettes that lampoon the absurdities of bureaucratic officials and the liberal attitudes that were systematically targeted and suppressed in that era.The Wild Parrots of T...
2003-10-09A homeless musician finds meaning in his life when he starts a friendship with dozens of parrots.The Soloist
2009-04-24A Los Angeles journalist befriends a homeless Juilliard-trained musician, while looking for a new article for the paper.Boblo Boats: A Detroi...
2021-09-22For over 85 years, steamship Ste. Claire transported generations of Detroiters to Boblo Island, an amusement park nestled in the waters between the US and Canada. When the vessel comes under threat of ruin, a doctor, psychic and amusement park fanatic unite to save their beloved steamship from the scrapyard. Interweaving local lore and mythology, "Boblo Boats" explores the whitewashed history of amusement parks and one crew's crusade to bring back the memories.Romeo Santos: Utopia ...
2021-06-25In this Concert he focuses on the star and most important defender of bachata, the Dominican singer and songwriter Romeo Santos, and his concert on September 21, 2019 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which broke attendance record . Romeo took advantage of this event to bring together, for the first time live, all the legendary bachateros with whom he collaborated on his acclaimed album Utopia (2019), to the delight of the public who sang his favorite hits.Disco Europe Express
2019-09-15Despite its Afro-American origins, the history of disco music, the soundtrack of the seventies, would be inconceivable without a handful of legendary European music producers who conjured up some of the biggest world-wide hits in the anonymity of their studios.Great Balls of Fire!
1989-06-30The story of Jerry Lee Lewis, arguably the greatest and certainly one of the wildest musicians of the 1950s. His arrogance, remarkable talent, and unconventional lifestyle often brought him into conflict with others in the industry, and even earned him the scorn and condemnation of the public.Tommy
1975-03-19After a series of traumatic childhood events, a psychosomatically deaf, dumb and blind boy becomes a master pinball player and the object of a religious cult.Ruusu ja kulkuri
1948-11-05The story of Finnish singer Abraham 'Aappo' Ojanperä, who was born in the late 1850s. On his journey from a crier boy from Liminga to an international singing star, Aappo never forgets his first love Katri, who faithfully waits in Liminga for his return.A Complete Unknown
2024-12-25New York, early 1960s. Against the backdrop of a vibrant music scene and tumultuous cultural upheaval, an enigmatic 19-year-old from Minnesota arrives in the West Village with his guitar and revolutionary talent, destined to change the course of American music.'Round Midnight
1986-09-23Inside the Blue Note nightclub one night in 1959 Paris, an aged, ailing jazzman coaxes an eloquent wail from his tenor sax. Outside, a young Parisian too broke to buy a glass of wine strains to hear those notes. Soon they will form a friendship that sparks a final burst of genius.Gaga: Five Foot Two
2017-09-21Follow pop provocateur Lady Gaga as she releases a new album, preps for her Super Bowl halftime show, and confronts physical and emotional struggles.DFW Punk
2008-08-07DFW Punk, covering the Dallas/Ft. Worth punk/new wave scene. If you thought Texas in the late ’70s was all about urban cowboys, country tunes and bible-thumping, get ready to be proved dead wrong. 2007, MiniDV.Italia K2
1955-08-03After the successful conquest of Everest in 1953, two Italians reach the summit of K2, the second highest mountain in the world, the next year,after careful preparation and the formation of the team of climbers, scientists, and porters.CIX 1st Concert ‘Rebe...
2023-01-03A glimpse into K-pop group CIX’s first world tour, featuring the members preparing and crafting their show, as well as a behind the scenes look of the entire process.Disney: Through the L...
2010-01-11Tito del Amo, a passionate 72-year-old researcher, takes the final step to unravel the enigma about the alleged Spanish origin of the American cartoonist Walt Disney, making the same journey that his supposed mother made to give him up for adoption in Chicago. A journey that begins in Mojácar, Almería, Spain, and ends in New York. An exciting adventure, like Alicia's through the looking glass, to discover what is truth and what is not, with an unexpected result.