Review: Searching for Sugar Man

Originally posted on www.moviemuser.co.uk

Searching for Sugar Man takes the unsuspecting viewer on an amazing journey of how a career that almost never was makes a remarkable comeback.

The documentary tells the story of Rodriguez, who after a brief stint in the music industry 40 years ago disappeared after failing to set the charts alight. However the story was quite different in South Africa as this mysterious musician, who many describe as anti-establishment, helped inspire and motivate a generation and in turn helped to aid a revolution.

This amazing story is not what I expected, when I first heard about the documentary I expected it to be just a little detail about how he apparently failed in the music industry only to be brought back years later as a bit of commodity, I couldn’t have been anymore wrong if I’d tried. This documentary takes you on a journey through the life of Rodriguez’ music, from its humble beginnings in smoke filled bars to recording his first album only to be dropped by the label when it didn’t set the charts alight. Then it takes us to South Africa where the artist made a huge and lasting impression.

Finally, after a long hunt to discover this mysterious musician – who many had thought was dead – the documentary uncovers him and brings him back into the spotlight to do what he does best, and find out what he’d been doing in his nearly 30-year musical absence.

This film is really sweet and touching as we see someone filled with talent finally make it after being discarded and discover the success he knew nothing about. The film makes you think about just how many talented individuals are out there that have succumbed to the same fate.

It’s also an excellent observation of how shallow and harsh the music business can be (Clarence Avant comes across as a less than favourable individual), and also an insight into how bad censorship can be for individuals.

Helped along by excellent and artistic looking visuals and a superb soundtrack, which is the music of the films enigmatic hero, this is more than just a documentary; it’s a real life rags to riches story twice over.

A remarkable and unique documentary everyone should see.

Review - Beauty

Originally posted on www.biggaypictureshow.com

Beauty is an interesting yet eerily creepy South African film that takes a look at how the sexual repression and frustration of someone in a homophobic environment can impact and severely mentally scar a person.

The film centres on Francois (Deon Lotz), an openly racist and homophobic married South African man in his forties, who, after indulging in sexual activity with men in private, becomes obsessed with the son of friend. As the film moves along and develops, we see Francois’ repressed homosexual feelings gradually sending his mental health into decline, and the attraction he feels towards Christian (Charlie Keegan), his friend’s son, turn into a loathing which culminates in a horrific and unpleasant encounter that will leave most viewers uneasy.

The film has many excellent points, the main being the premise to the film and the themes running throughout, which allows people to see the impact a homophobic and repressive society can have on people and how this can impact on others around you. The film is shot in a way that gives it a very dark and eerie tone, which reflects the undercurrent of Francois’ gradual mental decline. This is also backed up by the creepy and uneasy music that plays throughout most of the film. Lotz gives an excellent performance as Francois, as the audience really connects with his poor mental state and spends the majority of the film wondering what he’s going to do, and ultimately how can he live with himself.

The setting and music coupled with the performance from Lotz helps drive the film from beginning to end. As there are a vast amount of scenes in the film with minimal or no dialogue, these three elements allow the audience to understand what is going on, what Francois is thinking and serve as the ultimate disequilibrium running throughout.

However, although there may be many good points with the film, it isn’t completely perfect. A number of issues arise in certain parts of the film such as extended scenes that feel unnecessary and could have probably been cut or shortened, such as Francois unpacking his suitcase in a hotel room and a scene where he sits in his living room, doing nothing.

The film also has segments where it starts to build up but ultimately falls flat and the scenes go nowhere. This was mainly at the beginning of the film, so if you don’t feel gripped from the beginning don’t worry as it gets better around half way through.

Overall despite its negative points, Beauty is an excellent look at how certain negative views present in society can lead to the destruction of a person’s mental health, life and ultimately someone else’s. However if it had been executed a little better then this film would have been perfect from start to finish, without any flat parts in between.