Studio Canal will release on Blu-ray 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. The release will be available for purchase online and in shops across the United Kingdom on November 19th.
Documentary following two South African fans of the 1970s musician Rodriguez as they unravel the mystery of what happened to the singer. Most famous for the classic song 'Sugar Man', Rodriguez never enjoyed much commercial success in his home country, but became a phenomenon in South Africa, where he was considered on a par with Bob Dylan and the Beatles. Rumoured to have committed suicide onstage in the 1970s, his story has been shrouded in mystery for decades. The film follows the fans as they unearth clues and follow the trail around the world to discover what happened to this mysterious and talented artist.
Note: In the U.S., Searching for Sugar Man is distributed by Sony Pictures Classics.
Update: Special features and tour dates have been added up.
Special Features:
Making of
Commentary with Rodriguez and Malik Bendjelloul
Rodriguez’s recently rediscovered back catalogue is packed with social commentary, brilliant tunes and, in the case of his 1970 album Cold Fact - a genuine psychedelic classic. To see these songs performed by the man himself, catch a rare performance this winter as part of the Rodriguez full UK Tour Winter 2012.
Rodriguez UK tour dates:
Fri 16 Nov - The Roundhouse, London
Sat 17 Nov - The Royal Festival Hall
Sun 18 Nov - The Roundhouse
Thu 22 Nov - The Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool
Sat 24 Nov - The Sage Gateshead
Sun 25 Nov - The Usher Hall, Edinburgh
Tue 27 Nov - The Button Factory, Dublin
Wed 28 Nov - The Empire Music Hall, Belfast
Fri 30 Nov - The Dome, Brighton
Sat 1 Dec - The Colston Hall, Bristol
Sun 2 Dec - The Academy, Manchester
How ironic this article was posted today. Just yesterday, I saw Searching for Sugar Man in US theaters. It's easily one of the best documentaries I've seen in a long time. I'll be glad to import this one — and/or buy Sony's US version when it's released later.
Anyone who has an interest in terrific music, biographical documentaries, cultural films, social films and just good films should see this one.
Not to mention the 5 or 6 tunes that made it to my ipod as some of the records are pretty unique and stand up well with or without the documentary. Particuarly 'Can't Get Away'....
