Searching for Sugar Man reviewed by Mark Kermode

[@wilcoxwilcox3272]

I am a South African and Rodriguez was definitely my favourite artist in the 1970's and the 1980's. I presumed that the whole world listened to his music at the same time I was listening to him. I left South Africa in 1980 and crossed the border into Swaziland to fight against Apartheid. He changed my world.

[@Deontjie]

I fought *for* apartheid, because I did not wanted this country wide ANC corruption, farm murders, political murders, and complete economical meltdown. And I listen to his records and saw him perform in South Africa at the end of the 90's.

[@lynottlives]

Deon Van der Westhuizen 🤢 you vile poes

[@douglyons2678]

There is something to be proud of. 🙄

[@Uvray]

I am amongst the people who'd never heard of Sixto Rodriguez. A friend lent me Searching For Sugarman, an absolutely amazing story and wonderfully made doc. I have since purchased Rodriguez's albums and now have to consider him amongst my favourite artists. In a further sad twist in the story, the film's maker, Malik Bendjelloul has since taken his own life. He was working on another film. Very, very sad.

[@tinusleroux3846]

It's 2023 and I finally got around to watching this documentary. Absolutely brilliant. As a South African who grew up in the 80's I still know more than one of his songs by heart. That's how popular he was. "Sound track of my youth" level popular. Incredible story. So glad I watched this.

[@TheMarinemom02]

We saw him live in 2018......and he’s still fantastic and down to earth. ❤️

[@arturosoto2943]

I’ve watched “searching for sugar men” at least 20 times. Not only the story is extremely well documented/told, in the filmic sense. It is also a fascinating! Almost surreal. Not to mention the music. OMG! The music! Is fantastic!!

[@abelincoln5698]

that was the most amazing part for me. His music is so damn good . I've bought his albums now and I wish I'd heard them long ago

[@terrinorrell9911]

I'm from New Zealand and the Cold Fact album by Rodriguez was always a must-have along with Pink Floyd when we were teens and still is to this day.

[@Deontjie]

Seems like it is Southern hemisphere thing. Maybe even in Chili and Argentina?

[@marionpurnell9621]

Rodriguez was huge in Australia too. Having his albums took nothing away from my enjoyment of the documentary.,

[@roryharvey2727]

The truth about Rodriguez is that he wasn't big in South Africa - he was ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE!!!! Being from that era(and SA) myself none of us listened to that album but some or other "message". It was ONLY because it was EXTREMELY GOOD music!

[@Bobble86]

Fabulous documentary about a fabulous singer. Go and see it while it's on its pitifully narrow release!

[@raygrinter]

I saw him in Melbourne ,Australia in 1979.....at Dallas Brooks hall ....i bought his records and just had to see him.

[@VirtualVernon]

I knew about Rodriguez because I grew up in Detroit when he made his albums. He was very popular in Detroit.

[@zookuki]

Seeing him live at that first concert in SA was epic!!! 🤘

[@trevoroutim8519]

Growing up in South Africa, his album Cold Fact was played at all the parties and braais in my teen years. Was also told he'd committed suicide back then. My brother played drums for him on dome of his shows in Europe, UK and South Africa. My brother got him to sign my vinyl LP of Cold Fact at a rehearsal. I cherish that album. We lost a great music legend.

[@karenpohlman4791]

Rodriguez is my favorite artist ❤ and I too am South African

[@tomedwards1879]

This reviewer is extremely insightful. Great job.

[@niallmartin9063]

Amazing documentary about a noble forgotten artist. His song “cause” is no pastiche it’s a masterpiece. Brilliant ☘️🇮🇪

[@michaelhall5429]

They call it that because it has all of the common traits of that music. In a way all music that doesn't sound totally different is a pastiche of the era it exists in. I get that it sounds bad, but that is just the way it appears out of the context of it's time

[@michaelhall5429]

Also, he was never forgotten.

[@abelincoln5698]

I liked the documentary a lot but I was surprised at how damn good Rodriguez albums are ! The guy is an amazing songwriter and singer . I didn't expect to discover an artist I'd listen to afterward but I sure did. I'm a Rodriguez fan for life! His material is the real deal and it stands with anything that came out during that great era for rock music

[@tequilamockingbird532]

Rodríguez was known in Australia as well. We had a compilation album of his in our home. My teenage years & early twenties were spent listening to this GREAT album. I distinctly remember my sister telling me he had died of a drug overdose. This man’s songs are incredible.

[@carolynm9638]

Yes I’m an Aussie too and he was a part of most peoples record collection in 70s and 80s. I think his music just clicked with the people of that era. Got to see him live about 5 years ago in Melbourne. Sounded just as good.

[@KristineMaitland]

Yes. I gather that he opened once for Midnight Oil in 1981.

[@glynnismcc4549]

Excellent review and you got it right Mark. I went to see it only knowing it had strong South African connections and was completely blown away not only by the film but also by the soundtrack - one which had been the soundtrack to my teenage years and which I was still singing to myself in 2012. And so I was immensely saddened by the death of Malik Bendjelloul who brought this beautifully crafted film, the story of Rodriguez and his music back into the world.

[@truthalwayswins3078]

I bought his LP Cold Fact 70/71 my first year of working in SA. Still one of my favourite artists 51 yrs later.

[@johnPaul-qn3dg]

Well reviewed, and you avoided the spoilers. It was brilliant and I am clueless as to how this artist was not bigger then he was they are great songs, it days a lot about how more luck then talent is needed to break through. I am sure there are lot more real talents that never seen a publishing deal..

[@spaceengineer1452]

I think he was ignored because he was Latino. Racism. He's a bloody legend in Australia. I've seen him live, 5 times.

[@Retro_Fan]

You mean the same city, Motown, which had mostly black artists? Ummmm, no.

[@spaceengineer1452]

I'm talking about the entire American country, ummm yeah. So, why do you think he was ignored..too good looking ?@@Retro_Fan​

[@roeltovar8601]

The documentary is told from the South African point of view, i am American & didn't know who he was. Thank for finding Sugar Man

[@TequilaToothpick]

Still my favorite documentary of all time.

[@truthandjustice6838]

Grew up with Rodriquez in South Africa...also known as the star who set himself on fire on stage. Heard this story when I was about 10 years old. In highschool we would listen to his albums at parties. This story is exactly how we experienced Rodriquez in the 80s.

[@logangray1912]

What a story, Mark!

[@markprior2278]

Loved this documentary, introduced me to a great music artist.

[@andrenine1216]

Great doco. He was quite popular in Australia too. I grew up with my parents playing the cold fact album, I’m surprised he wasn’t popular in the U.S. Amazing music

[@nicolabrittain3101]

This was a magical film

[@Steaminlidz]

Saw this earlier tonight. Have been loving Rodriguez since his albums were reissued on Light In The Attic in 2009 - loved the documentary just as much.

[@christaiveson6344]

As a South African, hearing his music for the first time, it was mind blowing. What we watched or listened to, was censored. I heard it on a radio station that was edgy and anti establishment , as a teenager it moved me and made me think. Priceless.

[@briansteele2723]

The film is on Itures now and his lovely music is on spotify/ youtube

[@josemezatorrez]

From what I understand is that Sixto was once invited to Australia as a guest performer in 1980 and he said he was never invited back. His records must have been poupular undegeound in Australia because I dont belive he was making any money from royalties and he came back to the USA a forgotten artist and went back to doing menial jobs, even if that would have been in the film it would still be an amazing story becauese Sixto had no idea he was bigger that Elvis in South Africa.

[@Deontjie]

He was bigger than Elvis for the youngster. But older people preferred Elvis. H is still hero, and I saw him perform in Cape Town. We never saw him as anti-apartheid. We saw him as anti-establishment.

[@wilcoxwilcox3272]

@@Deontjie I crossed the border into Swaziland in 1980 to fight against the establishment and Apartheid.

[@Deontjie]

@@wilcoxwilcox3272 , I fought for the South African Defense Force in Northern Namibia and Southern Angola (with Ovambo soldiers as troops) in 1981 and 1982. Like yourself, I believed I fought for the good side. But I listened to Rodriquez, never saw him as anti Apartheid. But I did saw his performance when he came and performed in Strand town-hall, my home town.

[@tequilamockingbird532]

MyName IsPrivate so true! We had it in our home in Sydney. I practically wore out that album with how many times I played it on the turntable!!

[@jimborsa]

⁠​⁠@@wilcoxwilcox3272 you keep mentioning that but you can’t show evidence. Did you actually fight against Apartheid physically and take on the SADF BOSS SAP etc or did you just leave because you didn’t want to do national Service and it’s convenient to now say you fought against it when in fact you didn’t. Most of those who Left never actually fought against it; all they did was go into exile and even those who fought against it didn’t take on the SADF or SAP they just committed acts of violence against civilian targets. I know this as I missed being killed by a limpet mine place in a civilian car park in Durban. MK was too scared to fight face to face with with security forces so they attacked civilians. Cowardly.

[@bolivianprince7326]

We never heard of Rodriguez in latin america but now I need to read the lyrics. so far they are owesome.

[@crispinswainstonharrison9042]

This DJ got it spot on.

[@Deontjie]

Regarding the scratching of one track on the LP. That is sad. But it is still way better than BBC or USA tv that did not even had that one LP.

[@AntVik1]

Rodriguez toured Australia in 1979, where a live album was made, he was quite popular here, my first girlfriend and I where hooked on his music/poetry.

[@carolynm9638]

Wow i got to see him in Australia almost 40 years after you!

[@SpentAgesOnThisName]

And Simon looks different to boot!

[@georgeperkins5275]

im English and 17 and he's one of my favourite artists his music is incredible

[@Yorosero]

is . . . is that . . . Al Murray?

[@ravijuneja]

YES! You only had to wait seven years for the answer, but the best things come to those who wait...

[@michaelhall5429]

Nope. He's a bartender I think.

[@phrayzar]

The documentary is a classic case of don't let the truth get in the way of a good story. He was always very popular in Australia, where he is a household name. He had sold out tours through the 70's and 80's and toured once in the late 90's. The fact that they actually state that he never made any money or had any success is just pure fantasy. Maybe make a documentary on the UK but don't mention the fact that its an island.

[@kimbozw1808]

cold fact charted in Oz in 1976. That's 6 years after its USA release. but in most of the world he had no success until the searching docu of 2012.

[@Flip_Goat]

My mum drove a combi van through South Africa in the 70’s and all they listened to was a bootleg of a bootleg of cold fact on tape...

[@Flip_Goat]

I saw him live in Brisbane in 2017 and it was an incredible night

[@robertwood6297]

very well reviewed

[@andymc24]

to go on a journey, a personal journey of personal discovering of discoverication on the journey of the personality..

[@SSCFPA]

Love Al Murray, seen him as The Pub Landlord many times. Next time, a small show in a local theatre in October, if he does a Q and A session like before, I might have to remind him of one of his skits from the past few years, the 'London Olympics - it's gonna be a bit shit - isn't it?'

[@iCubicable]

I clicked onto this video, because I wanted to read the description!

[@Mjhavok]

You have written it the same way.

[@RSEFX]

A complete and fully successful slashing of wonder on display here. Two bores bringing a tale and music that soars crashing down to earth.

[@1HalfASSreViewer]

WTH, where's Mayo and when's he coming back?

[@holoholopainen1627]

Where are These Lads from ?

[@harleymetallica]

[@Thecriticwithamouth]

because of the olympics i think

[@loveallthepeople1000]

that dosen't help....think.....

[@MaxxPower101]

"Fridays at 2pm on BBC 5 live" Liar!

[@atoms-to-atoms]

....It was more like a second coming!

[@joegonzales1578]

Viva México!!!

[@lydz25]

I clicked onto this video, because Mark wasn't in a suit!

[@Mjhavok]

...

[@roryharvey2727]

Talk about long-winded!!! This review is almost longer than the film!

[@aurenitapedrazzi5036]

It was not boring at all!!!! Sorry

[@lfc7763]

Kermode used many words to say little.

[@johnviera3884]

I fell for the hype. Watched it. The movie, just like his music, is highly mediocre