Sony Pictures Classics acquires 'Sugar Man'

'Searching for the Sugar Man' Read the reviewSony Pictures Classics has acquired the rights in North America to Malik Bendjelloul's directorial debut "Searching for Sugar Man."Sony Classics announced the deal Friday at Sundance, following its premiere Thursday night in the world docu competition.The film is produced by Simon Chinn of Red Box Films and executive produced by John Battsek of Passion Pictures in association with Canfield Pictures and The Documentary Company.Josh Braun and David Koh at Submarine Entertainment brokered the deal with Sony Pictures Classics, with Protagonist Pictures handling International Sales.SPC noted it's the third film with Battsek following "One Day in September" and "My Kid Could Paint That."Story explores Rodriguez, a Detroit performer who disappeared into obscurity amid rumors of a gruesome on-stage suicide. But a bootleg recording found its way into apartheid South Africa and, over the next two decades, he became a phenomenon. The film follows the story of two South African fans who set out to find out what really happened to their hero. Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com