Film Casassandro-Gael Garca Bernal Transforms Into The Iconic Gay Wrestler.

It follows Armendáriz as he transforms not only the world of macho wrestling but his own life in “Cassandro.” With a script he co-wrote with David Teague, Oscar winner Roger Ross Williams directs a film based on a true story. Armendáriz, in real life, served as a consultant.

As well as Bernal, El Hijo del Santo and Benito Antonio Martnez Ocasio make special appearances as well as Roberta Colindrez, Perla de la Rosa, Joaqun Coso, and Ral Castillo.

In 2016, Williams worked with Armendáriz on the Prime Video documentary short “The Man Without a Mask.” Williams was inspired by Armendáriz’s fandom to fictionalize his story.

“These macho guys were hugging him backstage,” Williams told IndieWire. “I thought, ‘Wait a minute!’ They were respecting him for his skill and talent. Here was this proud, openly gay man who was not regarded as a problem. How did he get there, to break through like that, in such a culture? I started crying.”

“Cassandro” premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, and Carlos Aguilar praised the actress’ “magnetism” in his IndieWire review.

As the review reads, “‘Cassandro’ balances Arbendáriz’s triumphant exaltation as a trailblazer who didn’t set out to be one, with the obvious, not entirely eradicated bigotry that made his trajectory so significant and groundbreaking in the first place.” During every agile move he performs, he strikes a graceful blow against hatred.

“Cassisndro” is produced by Gerardo Gatica, Todd Black, David Bloomfield, Ted Hope, and Julie Goldman, and executive produced by Gerardo Gatica, Todd Black, David Bloomfield, Ted Hope, and Steve Tisch. Bernal, Paula Amor, Mariana Rodrguez Cabarga, A. Müffelmann, Mathias Penachino, David Teague, Jason Blumenthal, and Steve Tisch are also on the film.

Check out the trailer below for “Cassandro” which will premiere in select theaters on September 15 and be available to stream on Amazon Prime Video on September 22.