Madman Entertainment is proud to announce that SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN has taken out the Oscar for ‘Best Documentary Feature’ at this year’s Academy Awards ceremony.
Coming to DVD, Blu-Ray and Digital on February 27, SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN is a film about hope, inspiration and the resonating power of music.
In the late ‘60s, Rodriguez was discovered in a Detroit bar by two celebrated producers, who were struck by his soulful melodies and prophetic lyrics. They quickly recorded an album with him, believing that it would secure his reputation as one of the greatest recording artists of his generation. In fact, the album bombed and the singer disappeared into obscurity amid rumours of a gruesome on-stage suicide.
Meanwhile, a bootleg recording found its way into apartheid South Africa and, over the next two decades, became a phenomenon. With a sense that they had only half the story behind this amazing and influential artist, two South African fans set out to find out what really happened to their hero. Their investigation led them to a story much more extraordinary than any of the existing myths about the artist known as Rodriguez.
Screening across the country in 2012, SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN has become a critical and commercial success story, earning over $450,000 at the Australian box-office – with some locations still offering sessions – and rekindling a national love affair with his music.
As well as the Oscar, SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN has earned numerous prestigious awards since its release, including a BAFTA and the Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize and Audience Awards.
SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN is available on DVD ($29.95srp), Blu-Ray ($34.95srp) and Digital, 27 February, 2013.
Rodriguez tours Australia in 2013, appearing at the Byron Bay Bluesfest as well as sideshows in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane.
The SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN soundtrack album is out now through Sony Music Entertainment Australia. The album is a fourteen track collection featuring the most definitive songs from his iconic studio albums “Cold Fact” and “Coming From Reality”.