The true story of a lucha libre legend comes to life in the new film Cassandro, available to watch on Prime Video Friday.
Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Roger Ross Williams, the film stars Gael García Bernal as gay amateur wrestler Sául Armendáriz, and follows his journey to become Cassandro, an exótico who upends the macho wrestling world.
It’s a story so inspiring that Bad Bunny reached out and asked to be part of the film.
“He’s a really good actor,” Williams said. “He contacted us. He loves wrestling, he wanted to be in the movie.”
Williams, known for his documentaries, knew instantly after meeting Armendáriz that he was someone special.
“The first time that I met Cassandro, I said, ‘You’re my first fiction film. I just know it,’” Williams said. “He’s an inspiration, a revelation. He’s so positive. What he’s done with his life and the way he’s handled himself and done it on his own terms, it’s so beautiful and inspiring to me.”
The film’s composer, Marcelo Zarvos, called Bernal’s portrayal of Armendáriz “infectious.”
“He eats up the screen whenever he’s there,” Zarvos said. “He’s done incredible performances – this definitely ranks among his top three, you know, if not the best. I think he’s so good in it, he really owns it. And you feel like he really understands the character. He went for it.”
And with the film releasing during Hispanic Heritage Month, Williams hopes it will help people feel seen.
“I hope that all of the LGBT+ little Hispanic kids in America, all over the world, are inspired by Cassandro. His story, it’s so important, because he basically conquered the Mexican world of lucha libre on his own terms as himself — authentic and beautiful.”
Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Related Posts
Dabney Coleman, ‘9 to 5’ and ‘Tootsie’ star, dead at 92
May 17, 2024
CBS via Getty ImagesDabney Coleman, best known for his role as the sexist boss of Dolly Parton,…
Music notes: Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter and more
May 17, 2024
Olivia Rodrigo's debut album, SOUR, just hit a major milestone. It's now the all-time…
Hear Miley Cyrus sing Talking Heads, Demi Lovato sing The Temptations
May 17, 2024
A24Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato are two artists who can pretty much sing anything, and they both…
Laura Dern, Margaret Qualley to star in series adaptation of ‘Forever, Interrupted’
May 17, 2024
Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images, Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesLaura Dern and Margaret Qualley are…
‘Young Sheldon’ goes out with a big bang: series finale hits four-year audience high
May 17, 2024
Robert Voets/2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.It’s no theory – Young Sheldon went out with a big…
New Music Friday: Bebe Rexha, Dinah Jane, NKOTB and more
May 17, 2024
Bebe Rexha is back with a new single, "Chase It (Mmm Da Da Da)," which also has a video to go with…
Report: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce stayed in $21,000 per night Italian villa
May 17, 2024
Kevin Mazur/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights ManagementTaylor Swift had a few days off before her…