Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has officially announced and detailed its upcoming Blu-ray release of Malik Bendjelloul's Searching for Sugar Man (2012). Earlier this year, the film won the Audience Award and Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Street date is January 22.
Searching for Sugar Man tells the incredible but true story of Rodriguez, the greatest '70s rock icon who never was. Rodriguez was discovered in a Detroit bar in the late 1960s by two celebrated producers who were struck by his soulful melodies and prophetic lyrics. They recorded an album, which was expected to secure his reputation as the greatest recording artist of his generation, but in contrast, the album bombed and Rodriguez disappeared into obscurity amid rumors of a gruesome on-stage suicide. Nonetheless, a bootleg recording found its way into apartheid South Africa and, over the next two decades, his music became a phenomenon and an anthem for the people. Searching for Sugar Man follows two South African fans setting out to discover what really happened to their hero, leading them to a story more extraordinary than any of the existing myths about the artist known as Rodriguez.
The film was directed by Malik Bendjelloul, produced by Simon Chinn, and co-produced by George Chignell and Nicole Stott. John Battsek served as executive producer.
Special Features:
Audio Commentary with Director Malik Bendjelloul and Musician Rodriguez
"An Evening with Malik Bendjelloul and Rodriguez" - Featurette
Searching for Sugar Man is easily one of the most memorable and uplifting documentaries I've seen this year. I've already preordered the blu-ray and will be glad to add it to my collection.
