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- Published: September 22, 2023 16:41
New Delhi: Roger Ross Williams, an Oscar Winner for his work on documentaries, co-wrote and directed the biopic Cassandro, which had its world debut at the Sundance Film Festival this year. Starting today, September 22, 2023, you can stream Cassandro on Amazon Prime Video.
“Cassandro” is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. 🍿 pic.twitter.com/zbU5NDO5ih
— Access Bad Bunny (@AccessBadBunny) September 22, 2023
In this biographical movie, Saul Armendariz, a gay wrestler from El Paso, becomes known as the “Liberace of Lucha Libre”.
Gael Garcia Bernal stars as Armendariz and Bad Bunny as Felipe in Cassandro, two of the film’s many notable cast members.
Storyline
Showcasing El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Cassandro is a biographical drama that takes the audience in the early 1980s, when gay wrestler Saul Armendariz often travelled between the cities to engage in lucha libre matches. When Saul (ring name El Topo) meets Sabrina, a new trainer, his life is changed irrevocably. Cassandro, the legendary wrestler, was reborn when she pushed him to take on a new identity and compete as an ‘exotico’.
Stars: Gael Garcia Bernal, Roberta Colindrez, Perla De La Rosa, Joaquín Cosio, and more
Director: Roger Ross Williams
Writers: David Teague, Roger Ross Williams
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sports
Screentime: 1 hour 47 minutes
Review
Cassandro is a spectacular display of the main man’s acting skills and emotional range. Gael Garcia Bernal gives a moving performance as Saul Armendariz, who eventually becomes the gay lucha libre Cassandro.
With an equal amount of glint in each eye, Bernal shifts between Saul’s melancholy and Cassandro’s opulence. This is one of the finest performances he’s ever given. And that’s saying a lot, considering the breadth and depth of the Mexican actor’s career.
“Everything Gael Garcia Bernal does is unexpected and worth seeing – he’s the playful demon imp of the arthouse – and his new movie qualifies as both.” —Ty Burr#Cassandro is in select theaters tomorrow!pic.twitter.com/Acy6JAVU4U
— Daily Gael Garcia Bernal (@ggbdaily) September 15, 2023
we’re so lucky to have gael garcía bernal making movies to remind us what stardom looks like. a charming, luminous turn and one of the reasons CASSANDRO is worth watching! pic.twitter.com/0kvmfRjt4a
— alejandra (@mtzxale) September 21, 2023
Roger Ross Williams and David Teague’s screenplay centres on Saul’s transformation into Cassandro. There are subtle distinctions between Saul and Cassandro. Cassandro’s inhibitions are nearly nonexistent, whereas Saul’s worry and tension persist.
Just saw #Cassandro, and it’s an absolute knockout featuring wrestling, glitter, and self-discovery. Saúl Armendáriz’s journey from El Paso to Lucha Libre stardom is a triumph of self-expression. This movie challenges stereotypes and inspires like no other. pic.twitter.com/BlrbExg134
— Sean Tajipour (@Seantaj) September 13, 2023
#Cassandro is such a great movie! Gael Garcia Bernal is truly amazing pic.twitter.com/X1MbyRcQ5Y
— T H E O F O R D ™ (@THE_THEO_FORD) September 20, 2023
With Cassandro, director Roger Ross Williams makes his narrative directorial debut. As a result of his excellent observing skills, he became the ideal person to guide the transformation that Saul undergoes in the ring. Unwilling to cut the situation, he records everything with the camera.
The action sequences are accompanied by music that is both upbeat and reflective, composed by Marcelo Zarvos.