TURN UP THE MUSIC

With a surprising twist and music you will surely remember, this documentary follows two filmmakers who set out to find their rock hero from the 197Os – a forgotten legend named Rodriguez.

Growing up in South Africa in the 197Os, record shop manager Stephen Segerman and music journalist Craig Bartholomew-Strydom were – like everyone they knew – fans of Detroit-based folk-rock singer Rodriguez. His two albums had made a huge impact among young white liberals living through apartheid, and the singer became bigger than Elvis Presley and The Rolling Stones. Nearly 3O years later, the two fans decided to track down the singer, who had disappeared into obscurity. Swedish filmmaker Malik Bendjelloul met the two men in Cape Town and immediately recognised the power of their story, crafting fascinating and insightful documentary about the nature of global show business, fuelled with the power of Rodriguez’ poetic music.

Audience Award – Sundance Film Festival. Screenings at Tribeca Film Festival.