Oscar-nominated documentary SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN debuts on Blu-ray and DVD January 22

Sony just announced that "Searching for Sugar Man," nominated for a Best Documentary Oscar, will be released on Blu-ray and DVD January 22.

"See this movie! Leaves you feeling joyous and moved"—Marshall Fine, Huffington Post

"Unravels the extraordinary mystery of an American folksinger"—Entertainment Weekly

CULVER CITY, CALIF. (January 11, 2013) –—"Searching for Sugar Man," the critically-acclaimed film profiling the incredible but true story of Rodriguez, the greatest ‘70s rock icon who never was, debuts on Blu-ray™ and DVD January 22nd from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

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.

"Searching for Sugar Man" won the Sundance Film Festival’s 2012 World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Prize and Documentary Audience Award, as well as the Los Angeles Film Festival’s Audience Award for Best Documentary.

Bonus features include commentary with Director Malik Bendjelloul and Rodriguez, as well as two featurettes: “An Evening with Malik Bendjelloul and Rodriguez,” which features the director and Rodriguez participating in fan Q&A; and “Making Sugar Man,” which provides a deeper into the filmmakers’ process.

Hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “a gifted songwriter with a penchant for lyrical flourishes influenced by Bob Dylan, and echoing Van Morrison’s jazz-rock-soul masterpiece,” the original motion picture soundtrack album to "Searching for Sugar Man" is the definitive collection of songs by '70s folk singer Rodriguez. Available now from Legacy Recordings / Light in the Attic, it features “I Wonder,” “Crucify Your Mind,” the classic song “Sugar Man,” and more from the award-winning film. "Searching for Sugar Man" is Rodriguez's first album to appear on the Billboard Top 100 album chart and spent 11 weeks on the Top New Artist - Heatseekers chart - peaking at No. 1.

Synopsis:
Rodriguez was the greatest ‘70s US rock icon who never was. Momentarily hailed as the finest recording artist of his generation, he disappeared into oblivion rising again like Lazarus in a completely different context a continent away. Unbeknownst to Rodriguez, he enjoyed a parallel life, full of acclaim and success, a world away.  "Searching for Sugar Man" is a film about hope, inspiration and the resonating power of music. 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.

Blu-ray & DVD Bonus Features Include:

• Commentary with Director Malik Bendjelloul and Musician Rodriguez
• An Evening with Malik Bendjelloul and Rodriguez”
• Making Sugar Man”

"Searching for Sugar Man" has a running time of approximately 86 minutes and has been rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some drug references.