Searching For Sugar Man

 SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN

Director : Malik Bendjelloul

Year : 2012

Genre : Documentary
Rating : ****1/2

 

Every so often a documentary film comes along such as 'Senna', 'Into The Abyss' and 'Fahrenheit 9/11' which really connects with me, despite not having any previous knowledge or even interest in the subject matter. They really engage without patronising the audience and acting as if the subject will go above our heads. 'Searching For Sugar Man' does just this. It tells the story about someone I had never heard of and it almost immediately made me want to learn as much as possible about him and his history. While at the same time, the movie perfectly shows how music can touch people in an almost supernatural way, changing attitudes and peoples outlook on life as a whole.

'Searching For Sugar Man' tells the incredible story of  the myth surrounding a Detroit born singer named Rodriguez, who was signed to a label after being spotted singing with his back turned to the audience in a smoky basement. During his short career, Rodriguez recorded two albums which really didn't do well in the USA and virutally disappeared off the musical map. However, a bootleg tape was somehow found in South Africa, was copied and eventually became one of the biggest and most popular albums in South African history. While people really enjoyed the music, it was the words that spoke to them; words of rebellion, freedom and union. The lyrics touched them in such a way that the songs became anti - apartheid anthems and spoke of a future in which all people lived together in peace and harmony. However, while Rodriguez was seen to be a cultural icon, so little was known about him and soon myths were created about his supposed death, including a story that Rodriguez had commited suicide on stage by burning himself alive. 'Searching For Sugar Man' follows a group of music lovers and fans of Rodriguez who try to find out about what actually happened to him and whether he is actually alive or not while also exploring the meanings of the lyrics and how they inspired and motivated a generation. 

'Searching For Sugar Man' is the directorial debut of Swedish born television star Malik Bendjelloul, who brings a remarkable air of joy to the film in both directorial style, use of camera work, choice of interviews and the use of Rodriguez's own music which is used as the soundtrack to the film. Unlike 'The Imposter', which while very engrossing, had the aesthetics of a televisual movie, 'Searching For Sugar Man' utilises brilliant scenery and sweeping shots of mountains, rivers and tracking shots of walking which are clearly made to be seen on a large screen. The interviewees range from South African fans, record shop owners, the head of the company that distributed Rodriguez's album and even his own daughters, enabling us to understand more about the legend and why people love him so much. However, the greatest thing about the film is the wonderful music of Rodriguez himself, which is inspiring, beautiful, catchy and meaningful at the same time. While never having heard of Rodriguez, I immediately became hooked to the music and I have recently downloaded the entire discography. Listening to his music and the passion he brings to every song is truly wonderful and the joy that the South African people feel towards these albums and songs is truly endearing and watching his biggest fans discover more and more about their hero through the movie is both beautiful and mesmeric.

In the same way that 'Marley' showed the awesome power of music and the influence it has over both culture and ideologies, 'Searching For Sugar Man' proves what I have always thought and said. Music is the most influential and powerful medium ever created. Social groups have been formed, class structure has changed and peoples attitudes to life, religion and culture have all been affected thanks to the domineering power of music. While I believe that the industry is now defunct and worthless due to recyclable generic tot, there was a time in the 50's, 60's and 70's where truly revolutionary artists were writing songs with lyrics that changed perceptions, thoughts and ideas and while not as highly publicised as Marley, Dylan or The Beatles, Rodriguez surely has to be one of the most important music acts of all time. He changed an entire country and bought the end of an evil ideology which had enslaved thousands for years while being completely unaware of the power of his volcanic writing.

At the 2013 Academy Awards, 'Searching For Sugar Man' won the Oscar for best documentary and deservedly so. It is a film that had to be made, it would have been a crime if Rodriguez didn't get the commendation he deserved and his music just dissolved into the ether. It is a truly feel good film and I was smiling all the way through it, not to mention shedding a tear every so often. I have always believed in the osmostic power of music and this film crystallises my beliefs perfectly. 


You'll like this if you liked : Marley, Oil City Confidential