"Searching for Sugar Man" is an amazingly strange story--the sort of thing that seems much more like fiction than real life. Back in the early 1970s, Sixto Rodriguez (known only as 'Rodriguez') signed a record deal and life was looking good. However, despite some big fans in the record industry, this didn't equate to sales in the US and his album tanked and Rodriquez faded into obscurity...or so you would think. However, during the latter part of the apartheid era in South Africa, his music somehow evolved into an anthem of the opposition--and his anti-establishment lyrics were perfect for this. However, folks in South Africa assumed Rodriguez had died--and lots of rumors of his death abounded. It's only been in the last part of the 1990s that Rodruguez' whereabouts were discovered and he became a huge sensation when he went on tour. This film chronicles this bizarre rags to....well rags..story. What's so interesting about it is Rodriguez himself. In the film, he doesn't seem to have regrets for the way his life went and seems very humble about his new success. Overall, a wonderfully made and fascinating film--and it comes as no surprise as you watch it that it took the Oscar for Best Documentary (full-length) at this year's award ceremony. Fascinating throughout and there is certainly NOTHING like it when it comes to documentaries!
Review of Searching for Sugar Man
