Malik Benjelloul’s brother confirms depressed director took his own life

The brother of Oscar-winning documentarian Malik Bendjelloul has confirmed reports suggesting the former child star-turned-filmmaker took his own life. The 36-year-old Searching for Sugar Man director was found dead in Stockholm, Sweden on Tuesday (13May14), and police officials in the city were quick to rule out foul play.
Now, Bendjelloul’s brother Johar has told Swedish newspaper the Aftonbladet that Malik committed suicide.
He says, “Life isn’t always easy. I was with him all the time towards the end. I don’t know how to handle this. I just don’t know.”
The filmmaker’s movie about his search for reclusive singer/songwriter Sixto Rodriguez won his a Best Documentary Oscar in 2013.
Paying tribute to the director who helped relaunch his music career, Rodriguez says, “He was a very talented man and hard-working artist – he proved it by hitting an Academy Award his first time out. My deepest condolences to his family. Rest in peace.”