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Searching for Sugar Man tells the story of musician, Sixto Rodríguez, who faded without a trace until his music was rediscovered in South Africa.

Johannesburg — It was exciting that South African fans were the inspiration behind the making of the Oscar-winning film "Searching for Sugarman", film producer Anant Singh said on Monday.

"What's really amazing is that this somewhat forgotten star is now back in the public eye, largely because of what he meant to his South African fans," Singh said in a statement.

Singh, who attended the 85th Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday, was speaking after "Searching for Sugarman" won the the Oscar for the Best Documentary Feature on Sunday.

"It is exciting that the inspiration for 'Searching for Sugarman' came from South Africa."

He said it was sad that Rodriguez was a "sensation" in South Africa, but was oblivious to his fame.

"Searching for Sugarman" is a story about Sixto Rodriguez, who made two albums in the early 1970s.

His music was popular in South Africa, but he was unaware of this.

In 2006, Swedish director Malik Bendjelloul travelled to South Africa, where he heard about the guitarist.

The film tells of two South Africans who go in search of the singer.