Searching For Sugar Man Review

19th Jul 2012

Searching for Sugar man is a well told, always engaging and very sweet natured documentary on an talent from 4 decades ago who never got noticed by the world.

Rodriguez had two albums produced in the early 70’s – and as you will hear from the talking heads and from the songs played themselves was running in the same political and social leagues as Bob Dylan. But poor record sales ultimately ended his career – and the aftermath of this brought forward rumours and stories on his onstage suicide.

The documentary sifts through this background and then alters course when it becomes apparent that he was quite the underground (and eventual national) legend in South Africa. The film then charts his unknowing rise to fame in that part of the world, provoking a couple of big fans to go on a search to track what indeed happened to the man.

The documentary then changes course once again in this next part of the narrative and continues to do this throughgout its short running time. The changes in focus help keep the film feeling fresh, and they are aided by stock footage, but also some truly beautiful new cinematography of various locations.

Like any decent documentary on a persona unknown to the world, this one is very uplifting. The music of one man unknown in his own territory who unknowingly inspired a nation half a world away.