kosmasp I as many others have never heard of Rodriguez. So at first I thought about this being one of those documentaries where it's actually a fictional film. Or at least leaves the possibility of it not being "real". But as I've googled after watching it (but also during watching the movie it became apparent), this is a real musician, that made an impact on people.It's a strange documentary and even though you may not know the man, you will become accustomed to him. If you actually care for documentaries that is of course. It's very well structured and you get a nice search for the guy. The music is also very nice. Never heard one of those songs, but I reckon some will look for them after having a listen to them. It's heartfelt overall, so if you are not a cynic, you will enjoy this

bjacob I approached this documentary from a point of view of complete ignorance about its subject, prompted by having listened to "Lifestyles" on an internet radio. I understand that it tends to eschew some facts to deliver what is at the end of the day a heartwarming fable. Truth is, I would have probably liked more something more warts-and-all, but the film really works. It's true that it's frustrating how the investigations about the "money trail" are cut short, but clearly it fell through the cracks and maybe the details of how it did fell aren't so important. It emerges clearly how South Africa was relatively isolated and remote seen from America, and how in this isolation mythologies had fertile space to grow.It's probably not terribly accomplished as a documentary, but as a feel good movie, with a very consistent and fair tone, and lots of humanity, it's a little masterpiece.

tartedav Many people know the names of Michael Jackson, or bands like the Beatles. But very few people will know the name Sixto Rodriguez. He wrote two well received but low selling albums that were only popular in very few places like South Africa. This documentary shows a heartwarming tale about an unknown artist's musical impact on the small population that listened to his music. Music is a unique art form which impacts peoples' lives daily by having the ability to teach someone a new idea while still be entertaining at the same time. This allows it to make positive effects on the world by giving the listeners a good message and help influencing them to possibly help out the world.The director Malik Bendjelloul, puts us through a journey of discovering who Sixto Rodriguez was. This helps you be able to learn who this singer is and what his morals and principles were. Bendjelloul skillfully structures the documentary to make you wonder what happened to this unknown singer. Until finally the search to whatever happens to this singer comes with an unexpected twist. He manages to make you wonder why this man was not popular because his two albums were mostly positive from critics. Could it be from bad luck or another example of the music industry taking advantage of an artist's talent? The only way to find out is by watching it yourself. This documentary does deserve to be seen but not only for its heartwarming tale but ability to show how music can positively change people's worldview.

kywi-45612 Coming from the standpoint of someone who did not know who the musician Rodriguez was prior to watching the film Searching For Sugarman, I personally had a very different perception of this film. Searching For Sugarman is a documentary surrounding the mysterious story of Rodriguez- a singer/songwriter who, despite his artistic excellence, could not seem to succeed in the American music industry, however, become "bigger than Elvis" in South Africa. While the film revolves around finding out whether Rodriguez is dead or alive, Benjelloul takes the audience on journey from diving into his unfortunate beginning, to his rumored suicide in front of thousands after a performance. Benjelloul initially presents Rodriguez in a very cryptic way; and as a viewer who didn't know Rodriguez, I spent a lot of the beginning of the film in a complete rut trying to figure out who he was. The film opens with dialogue from Stephen 'Sugar' Segerman- a record shop owner in South Africa- who introduces Rodriguez by means of communicating the impact that Rodriguez had on the entirety of South Africa. Segerman's introduction of Rodriguez sets the tempo of the film in how all of the opening characters speak of Rodriguez's borderline godly impact on the people of South Africa. However, Benjelloul's purposefully parallels Rodriguez's impact on South Africa along with how little people knew about him in United States to create a sense of suspense. The audience is constantly wondering who he is, while simultaneously being guided into joining "the hunt" for Rodriguez. If you don't know who Rodriguez is, you are almost inclined to jump out of your seat and try to find him yourself.