Exclusive: Gael García Bernal talks Cassandro and getting into the wrestling/ lucha libre world
Currently on Prime Video is the wrestling biopic Cassandro, directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Roger Ross Williams, making his first narrative feature after directing the documentary films God Loves Uganda, Life Animated, The Apollo, and Love to Love You Donna Summer.
The film stars Gael García Bernal in the real-life tale of gay wrestler Saúl Armendáriz aka Cassandro, the "Liberace of lucha libre."
The cast also includes Roberta Colindrez, Perla De La Rosa, Joaquín Cosío, Raúl Castillo, El Hijo del Santo and Bad Bunny.
In the lucha libre wrestling scene of Juárez, Mexico, gay luchador Saúl is tired of playing El Topo, a nondescript, masked runt who always loses his matches. He wants to be a star. His fierce new trainer, Sabrina, suggests he develop an exótico character — an unmasked, stereotypically effeminate role audiences love to hate. But exóticos never get to win. All that changes when Saúl debuts the flamboyant and powerful Cassandro, who captures the crowd’s attention and affection. But how will Cassandro’s ascent affect Saúl's relationship with his mother — still pining away for his unavailable father — and with Gerardo, Saúl's secret lover?"
The screenplay is written by David Teague and Roger Ross Williams. This initially premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.
García Bernal is known for his roles in Amores perros, Y tu mamá también, Bad Education, The Motorcycle Diaries, Babel, Coco, and Old, for his role as Rodrigo de Souza in the series Mozart in the Jungle (2014–18), and his role as the titular character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe television special Werewolf by Night (2022).
Blackfilmandtv.com's Wilson Morales talks to Gael García Bernal talks Cassandro and getting into the wrestling/ lucha libre world.