• Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
• Writer: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
• Cast: Algenis Perez Soto, Rayniel Rufino
• Language: English
• Theatrical Release Date: September 5, 2009
• Distributor: Sony Classics
• On The Web Film WebsiteIMDB Entryhomepage

Synopsis: Sugar follows the story of Miguel Santos, a.k.a. Sugar, a Dominican pitcher from San Pedro De Macorís, struggling to make it to the big leagues and pull himself and his family out of poverty. Playing professionally at a baseball academy in the Dominican Republic, Miguel finally gets his break at age 19 when he advances to the United States’ minor league system; but when his play on the mound falters, he begins to question the single-mindedness of his life’s ambition. [Synopsis courtesy of Sony Pictures]

Round-up: Wrting for indieWIRE during its debut at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, critic Anthony Kaufman called the film a "stunning, subtle achievement" and "a deeply resonant story... [that]... proves [Boden and Fleck] are just as adept working on a wider canvas, away from home." The ever-crucial New York Times review was also a virtual homerun with A.O. Scott calling the film "wise and lovely" and went on to say that the film "belongs on a shelf with 'Hoop Dreams,' another great film that challenges us to shed our illusions about sports..." Not falling into the cliche trap is one note of praise that resonated with critics across the spectrum, including Melissa Anderson for The Village Voice. "Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck have transformed some of the saggiest, most cliched genres with smarts, non-screechy politics, superb acting, and visual beauty..."