A documentary about 70's songwriter/guitarist Rodriguez who was not so successful in the US but, unknown to him, was extremely popular in South Africa. Fans in SA thought he died in the US - supposedly committing suicide by burning himself live on stage!! Rodriguez was in poverty in Detroit. A Swedish filmmaker hears about him, searches for and finds him. Later organizes an extremely well attended concert in SA. Rodriguez continues to be his unassuming self despite the new found fame.
This is the kind of story that would make a Hollywood/Bollywood movie. Also, the documentary was shot predominantly with an iPhone!!
Really good movie. Great interviews, and a really well structured plot. Totally recommend it. I also recommend listening to Sixto Rodriguez, pretty damn good music. Youtube link to some music
I'm super excited to see this film. It's on my short list - maybe even this weekend. But for anyone rushing out to see a film shot entirely on an iPhone, it's not that simple. It was actually shot mostly on a Super8 film, but when he ran out of funding, the iPhone with an app filled int he gaps nicely: "Bendjelloul had shot nearly all of Sugar Man on expensive 8mm film when he ran out of funding, but he wasn't going to be satisfied with the product until the vision he had in his head was complete.
"It was just a very few shots left, but I needed those shots," the Swedish filmmaker told CNN recently. "One day I realized there was this $1[.99] app on my iPhone. And I tried it, and it looked basically the same as the real stuff." As an aside - I find it funny to hear Super8 referred to as "expensive". As far as stock goes - it's not too bad. But a $.99 app is definitely cheaper!the documentary was shot predominantly with an iPhone!!
Saw it the other day at the cinema. Cool, almost fairytale story. That label boss couldn't have come across any more evil and evasive with a top hat and a gold chalice. Rodriguez himself is the star of the show, his unassuming modesty and pure coolness shine through. All those years of toiling in obscurity and not a hint of regret after his stardom was hidden from and exploited for...someone. The definition of cool you could say, not giving a shit, and getting dirty as need be to keep things going. I don't think his music itself isn't as great as the film claims it is. They say he was a premier singer-songwriter in the age of Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Carole King, Neil Young, Paul Simon etc.? I think not. The songs are pretty good, but the orchestration is syrupy and sound like they're sung by a Donovan impersonator. His songs did touch the South African people in a thoroughly real, though bizarre way, but the film shoots right on by his late seventies tour of Australia, presumably because it didn't fit the narrative. That being said I will get his new album whenever it comes out. Thirty years of living as self-actualised as he has must have produced some really strong songs.