Interview:
Roger Ross Williams,
writer/director,
"Cassandro"
Representing the narrative feature debut of documentary filmmaker Roger Ross Williams, the biopic Cassandro recalls the rise to fame of Mexican-American luchador Saúl Armendáriz (played by Gael García Bernal). The film follows the El Paso native as he crosses the U.S.-Mexico border to embark on a career as an exótico, a wrestler who performs in drag, under the stage name Cassandro. The film also examines how the gay Armendáriz overcomes homophobia within and outside of his sport to become one of lucha libre's biggest stars. Roger Ross Williams based Cassandro on his 2016 documentary short The Man Without a Mask. Cassandro opens Sept. 15 in Austin theaters and premieres Sept. 22 on Prime Video. Roger Ross Williams won an Academy Award in 2009 for his short film Music by Prudence. He has directed the documentary features God Loves Uganda, Life, Animated, The Apollo, Love to Love You, Donna Summer, and the upcoming Stamped from the Beginning. He also co-directed with Larissa Bills of the upcoming Apple TV+ documentary series The Super Models. Aired: Sept. 13, 2023. Web site: https://www.amazon.com/ |
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