Cassandro

Cassandro is a 2023 American biographical drama film directed by Roger Ross Williams from a screenplay he co-wrote alongside David Teague. It stars Gael García Bernal, Roberta Colindrez, Perla De La Rosa, Joaquín Cosío, Raúl Castillo, El Hijo del Santo and Bad Bunny.
Cassandro had its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2023, and was released by Amazon MGM Studios in a limited release on September 15, prior to streaming via Prime Video a week later, on September 22. The film garnered very positive reception, with particular acclaim preserved for Bernal's performance.
== Synopsis ==
In the late 1980s, gay wrestler Saúl Armendáriz lives in El Paso, Texas, and regularly crosses the border to Ciudad Juárez in Mexico to participate in lucha libre wrestling matches. He wrestles as El Topo until he meets a new trainer, Sabrina, who suggests he should compete as an exótico, leading to his new identity and increasing success as Cassandro.
== Cast ==
* Gael García Bernal as Saúl Armendáriz / Cassandro
* Roberta Colindrez as Sabrina
* Perla De La Rosa as Yocasta
* Joaquín Cosío as Lorenzo
* Raúl Castillo as Gerardo / El Comandante
* El Hijo del Santo as himself
* Bad Bunny as Felipe
== Production ==
In July 2020, Gael García Bernal joined the cast of the film, with Roger Ross Williams set to direct from a screenplay he wrote alongside David Teague, with Amazon Studios in negotiations to distribute. They wrote the screenplay over the course of several years. Cassandro is Williams' first narrative film. He previously told Cassandro's story in his 2016 documentary short The Man Without a Mask. In June 2021, Roberta Colindrez and Bad Bunny joined the cast of the film, with Amazon Studios officially set to distribute. The studio would later switch it to a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film upon release following the formation of Amazon MGM Studios Distribution.
== Release ==
Cassandro had its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2023. It also screened at the 50th Telluride Film Festival on September 2, 2023. It was released by Amazon MGM Studios in a limited release on September 15, before streaming via Prime Video on September 22, a week later.
== Reception ==
Cassandro received acclaim from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, 91% of 128 aggregated critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "Gael García Bernal steals hearts as the charismatic Cassandro in this feel-good biopic about a wrestler that triumphs in the macho world of Lucha Libre while embracing his true self." Metacritic assigned the film an average score of 76 out of 100, based on 33 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
== Videos ==
Cassandro - Official Trailer - Prime Video
Category:American films
Category:2023 films
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Category:2023 American films
Category:2020s films
Category:2020s American films
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Category:2020s American biographical films
Category:Drama films
Category:American drama films
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Category:2023 American drama films
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Category:2020s American drama films
Category:Sports films
Category:American sports films
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Category:2023 American sports films
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Category:Films directed by Roger Ross Williams
Category:Films set in the 1980s
Category:LGBT-related films
Category:LGBT-related drama films
Category:Biographical drama films
Category:Films starring Gael García Bernal
Category:Films starring Raúl Castillo
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