Even if professional wrestling may not be everyone’s cup of tea, numerous stories behind the sports entertainment phenomena are usually quite engaging. Darren Aronofsky has been able to give a heartbreaking look into the complex life using various real-life inspirations for his film, The Wrestler. We will also be getting an equally rough drama with the upcoming Von Erich biopic, The Iron Claw. Even a lighter, more inspiring film like Fighting with My Family can prove to be just as compelling. Prime Video has just released a trailer for a film that gives us a look at the Mexican legacy of pro wrestling, the Lucha Libre, with Cassandro. The film is a biopic of real-life luchador, Saúl Armendáriz.
The official synopsis from Prime Video reads,
“Saúl Armendáriz, a gay amateur wrestler from El Paso, rises to international stardom after he creates the character ‘Cassandro,’ the “Liberace of Lucha Libre.” In the process, he upends not just the macho wrestling world, but also his own life. Based on a true story. Directed by Academy Award® winner Roger Ross Williams.”
The film stars Gael García Bernal, known for his acclaimed performance in the Academy Award-nominated film Amores Perros from 2000, directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu. Although audiences may recognize Bernal more recently from M. Night Shyamalan’s Old, the MCU Disney+ series Werewolf by Night, and Netflix’s The Mother with Jennifer Lopez. Cassandro also stars Roberta Colindrez, Perla de la Rosa, Joaquín Cosío, and Raúl Castillo, with special appearances from El Hijo del Santo and Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio. The real Saúl Armendáriz served as a consultant on the film.
The screenplay was written by David Teague & Roger Ross Williams. Roger Ross Williams is also on board as the director. Gael García Bernal, Paula Amor, Mariana Rodríguez Cabarga, A. Müffelmann, Matías Penachino, David Teague, Jason Blumenthal, and Steve Tisch are all executive producers on the film. Producers of the movie include Gerardo Gatica, Todd Black, David Bloomfield, Ted Hope, and Julie Goldman.
Cassandro is set to screen in select theaters on September 15. Then, it will be streaming globally on Prime Video on September 22. Check out our review of the film from Sundance.