Thursday, January 31, 2013

Searching for Sugar Man (2012)

Director: Malik Bendjelloul. 86 min. Rated PG-13. Sweden/UK. Documentary/Biography.

Imagine this: You're minding your own business, living your humble life, but woken up at 2:00 am in the morning by a call from another country, say, Finland or Mozambique or any far off exotic land, and told you are that country's biggest pop culture sensation, bigger than Elvis or the Beatles. Impossible? Well, this actually happened. I wouldn't want to give away any part of this engaging documentary's intriguing detective-like true story, so experience it on your own, and enjoy the beautiful music that's on par with other contemporary greats.

Mo says:

6 comments:

  1. Sometime I just thank God for keeping me alive to have a chance of enjoying such a beauty of Art. When it comes to true story along with such a heavenly music and voice, I'm totally less in words Roger Ebert beautifully says : "Do some stories exist only because we need them to...." We really need to know how inspiring & unbelievable stories are happening under the skin of our planet and appreciate the young talented deceased filmmaker who interpreted it .
    - Did you know whose director committed suicide at the age of 36 , 1 year after Oscar because of Depression?Too sad.
    -Not only did Rodriguez skip the Oscar ceremony – he was asleep when he won.
    -good article:
    http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rodriguez-10-things-you-dont-know-about-the-searching-for-sugar-man-star-20130328

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    1. I loved this documentary too ... until yesterday - when I saw this article on Cracked:

      http://www.cracked.com/article_20585_6-famous-documentaries-that-were-shockingly-full-crap.html

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  2. Actually it was the first fact that was mentioned in the article of Rolling Stone too but I don't think it could damage it .The tour in Australia was in late 70 and after that according to his words :" Not much happened after that. No calls or anything."
    I know some exaggeration might exist in this documentary to make a better and more emotional story but the fact is :A talented musician who was at the level of Bob Dylan , with a beautiful voice and pleasant songs was missed out on fame in his own country ! and was discovered , half a life later, on the other side of the world by quite foreign fans !.no matter he vanished 1971 or 1981 ....The point is he got disappointed and quit music for decades and maybe never back to the track until this miracle happened and also after this movie and Oscar came up ! I read after success of movie his albums success reached to the peak. I myself looking for Suger man song too!.

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    1. Agree with your assessment. I borrowed the album from our library after watching the movie, and some of the songs are quite memorable.

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  3. Borrowing from library ? It never came to my mind ! I'll go for it. Thanks !

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    1. The local library is always an incredible resource, both for soundtracks and for older movies.

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