Swedish-born Malik Bendjelloul, Director of the Academy Award-winning “Searching for Sugar Man” (focused on the life of Detroit folk musician Sixto Diaz Rodriguez), died on Tuesday near Stockholm, according to local police.
Foul play is not suspected, according to police testimony, but official statements have not yet been provided. The director was 36-years-old.
AP tweeted the initial report Tuesday evening:
MORE: Oscar winning “Searching for Sugar Man” director Malik Bendjelloul dies at 36, police say: http://t.co/s6pz4bJHtc
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 13, 2014
Bendjelloul had been a producer for Swedish music documentaries on television and even starred in the Swedish series Ebba och Didrik He then directed, produced, edited and co-wrote 2012’s “Searching for Sugar Man,” which won an Academy Award for Best Documentary, as well as honors with the DGA, PGA, WGA, BAFTA, NBR, among other festival organizations.
The subject of Bendjelloul’s award-winning film, Detroit folk artist Rodriguez, is scheduled to perform at Detroit’s Masonic Temple Tuesday evening.