The Tragic Death of Malik Bendjelloul

“But the question of why, no one can answer; it will ache in my chest the rest of my life.”

— Johar Bendjelloul (on the death of his brother)

Malik Bendjelloul, the acclaimed Swedish filmmaker best known for his Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man, passed away on May 13, 2014, at 36.

Born on September 14, 1977, in Ystad, Sweden, Bendjelloul had a background in journalism and television before turning to filmmaking. He studied at Kalmar University before becoming a reporter on Swedish television. He created documentaries about various musicians, including Björk and Elton John.

Searching for Sugar Man

Bendjelloul gained global recognition with his documentary Searching for Sugar Man (2012). The film tells the remarkable story of Sixto Rodriguez, a folk musician from Detroit who unknowingly became a cultural icon in South Africa before disappearing. Searching for Sugar Man was widely praised for its compelling narrative and emotional depth, earning Bendjelloul an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2013.

Personal life

He was born to a Swedish mother and an Algerian father. His uncle is Swedish actor and screenwriter Peter Schildt.

Struggles with mental health

Bendjelloul’s sudden death was initially met with shock and speculation, but it was later revealed that he had taken his own life after battling depression. His older brother, Johar Bendjelloul, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that Malik had suffered from a period of severe depression before his death and that he had been with his brother “almost constantly” in the days before his death. “I know he had been depressed for a short period, and depression is something you can die from,” he said. He continues, “But the question of why, no one can answer; it will ache in my chest the rest of my life.”

Death

At rush hour on 13 May 2014, Malik Bendjelloul was a victim of suicide by throwing himself in front of an oncoming train at the Solna Centrum metro station in Stockholm.