Documentary about Detroit musician Rodriguez wins Oscar
Posted:
Updated:
By Lee Thomas, Fox 2 News -
Rodriguez (Credit: Fox 2 News)
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) -
Before "Searching for Sugar Man" won the Oscar for Best Documentary, director Malik Bendjelloul and the subject of the film, 70-year-old Sixto Rodriguez, were live in the Fox 2 studios talking about what happened when his records didn't sell back in the sixties.
"I pretty much left the music scene," said Rodriguez. "Malik rescued me with his film."
That rescue came in the form of telling the amazing story of a musician that finds his fame 30 years after his record is released when his songs became the soundtrack for fighting apartheid.
"It was a true fairy tale, a man who lives for 30 years as a construction worker in downtown Detroit not knowing that at the very same time he's more famous than Elvis Presley in South Africa, and then that he learns about it after 30 years and he gets the recognition," said Bendjelloul.
Rodriguez was not at the Oscars. Why?
"Rodriguez isn't here tonight because he didn't want to take any of the credit himself," Bendjelloul told the audience.
By not going, the amazing and aloof performer has once again proven that he's not in it for the fame.
So today we remember and congratulate Detroit's own Rodriguez and his film "Searching for Sugar Man."
Friday, May 17 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:55:04 GMT
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said Don Graunstadt.
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said the CEO of North American Operations for the electric car company.
Thursday, May 16 2013 10:01 PM EDT2013-05-17 02:01:50 GMT
Valentine Distilling is winning national awards for its smooth and delicious spirits. The metro Detroit company says their approach is simple, and it's catching on.
Valentine Distilling is winning national awards for its smooth and delicious spirits. The metro Detroit company says their approach is simple, and it's catching on.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-05-14 13:45:32 GMT
You may know him best from his role on the BBC's hit drama "Sherlock." But after this weekend, you'll know Benedict Cumberbatch as the latest in a long line of Star Trek villains.
You may know him best from his role on the BBC's hit drama "Sherlock." But after this weekend, you'll know Benedict Cumberbatch as the latest in a long line of Star Trek villains.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:12 AM EDT2013-05-22 15:12:00 GMT
Marvel Comic book legend Stan Lee made an appearance at the Detroit Comic Convention and FOX 2 was there to talk to him. What should Marvel fans be looking forward too?
Marvel Comic book legend Stan Lee made an appearance at the Detroit Comic Convention and FOX 2 was there to talk to him. What should Marvel fans be looking forward too?
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:37 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:37:17 GMT
Award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay, restaurateur Joe Bastianich and acclaimed chef Graham Elliot return to the MASTERCHEF judging panel. After a nationwide search, only the best home cooks - including
Award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay, restaurateur Joe Bastianich and acclaimed chef Graham Elliot return to the MASTERCHEF judging panel.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:58:40 GMT
The Cannes Film Festival is missing one of its biggest stars of this year's festival: Ryan Gosling. That's because he's in Detroit shooting his directorial debut, "How to Catch a Monster."
The Cannes Film Festival is missing one of its biggest stars of this year's festival: Ryan Gosling. That's because he's in Detroit shooting his directorial debut, "How to Catch a Monster."
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:27 AM EDT2013-05-21 15:27:14 GMT
Carol Burnett, who became famous for playing a variety of characters in sketch comedy routines on her namesake television show, has been named the winner of the nation's top humor prize.
Carol Burnett, who became famous for playing a variety of characters in sketch comedy routines on her namesake television show, has been named the winner of the nation's top humor prize.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:55:04 GMT
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said Don Graunstadt.
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said the CEO of North American Operations for the electric car company.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:33 AM EDT2013-05-17 12:33:57 GMT
The third time's the charm for Candice Glover on "American Idol. The booming 23-year-old R&B vocalist won the Fox singing competition after auditioning a trio of times and making it to the finals this year.
The third time's the charm for Candice Glover on "American Idol. The booming 23-year-old R&B vocalist won the Fox singing competition after auditioning a trio of times and making it to the finals this year.
Thursday, May 16 2013 10:01 PM EDT2013-05-17 02:01:50 GMT
Valentine Distilling is winning national awards for its smooth and delicious spirits. The metro Detroit company says their approach is simple, and it's catching on.
Valentine Distilling is winning national awards for its smooth and delicious spirits. The metro Detroit company says their approach is simple, and it's catching on.
Saturday, May 25 2013 9:17 PM EDT2013-05-26 01:17:14 GMT
Windsor and Detroit officials have submitted a bid to host Wrestlemania in 2015 and/or 2016. It has become one of the biggest sports entertainment events in the country.
Windsor and Detroit officials have submitted a bid to host Wrestlemania in 2015 and/or 2016. It has become one of the biggest sports entertainment events in the country. Wrestlemania is the SuperBowl of sports and entertainment.
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:29 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:29:51 GMT
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:58 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:58:44 GMT
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:18 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:18:53 GMT
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:34 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:34:36 GMT
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:54 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:54:08 GMT
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:06:29 GMT
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:54:49 GMT
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:31 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:31:37 GMT
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:52 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:52:39 GMT
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
Rodriguez (Credit: Fox 2 News)
