A star is born, again: Cassandro celebrated on big screen as wrestling, El Paso icon

Maria Cortes Gonzalez and Gaby Velasquez, El Paso Times
·1 min read
His friends and family welcome El Paso and Juárez native Saúl “Cassandro” Armendáriz as he arrives at the Alamo Drafthouse in East El Paso on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, for an advanced screening of “Cassandro,” a biopic on his life and career.
His friends and family welcome El Paso and Juárez native Saúl “Cassandro” Armendáriz as he arrives at the Alamo Drafthouse in East El Paso on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, for an advanced screening of “Cassandro,” a biopic on his life and career.
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Borderland luchador exotico Cassandro had a stellar night at a VIP Party for his biopic release at the Alamo Drafthouse East on Pellicano Drive.

Saúl "Cassandro" Armendariz gathered with family and friends Tuesday night for an invitation-only red-carpet premiere of the new Amazon Studios film, "Cassandro." Armendariz is widely recognized as one of Mexican lucha libre’s most iconic queer figures as he represented El Paso and Juárez throughout his career.

As part of the special night, Alamo Drafthouse representatives had a plaque in his honor and dedicated its Big Show theater in his name. He also received the Star on the Mountain Award on behalf of Mayor Oscar Leeser. Some of his costumes were displayed at the entrance of the theatre.

The film, which stars Academy Award-nominee and Golden Globes-winner Gael Garcia Bernal, will be released on Friday, Sept. 15 in select theaters and stream on Prime Video Sept. 22. It delves into the world of lucha libre while chronicling the wrestler's triumphs and challenges.

'Cassandro' showtimes, tickets

Tickets to see the film at the Alamo are on sale at https://drafthouse.com/el-paso/show/cassandro.

More: Cassandro, cross-dressing luchador has fought battles in and out of the arena

The Alamo Drafthouse Big Show theater was dedicated to El Paso and Juárez native Saul “Cassandro” Armendariz before an advanced screening of “Cassandro,” a biopic on his life and career for his friends and family at the Alamo Drafthouse in East El Paso on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.
The Alamo Drafthouse Big Show theater was dedicated to El Paso and Juárez native Saul “Cassandro” Armendariz before an advanced screening of “Cassandro,” a biopic on his life and career for his friends and family at the Alamo Drafthouse in East El Paso on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.
The Alamo Drafthouse Big Show theater was dedicated to El Paso and Juárez native Saul “Cassandro” Armendariz before an advanced screening of “Cassandro,” a biopic on his life and career for his friends and family at the Alamo Drafthouse in East El Paso on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.
The Alamo Drafthouse Big Show theater was dedicated to El Paso and Juárez native Saul “Cassandro” Armendariz before an advanced screening of “Cassandro,” a biopic on his life and career for his friends and family at the Alamo Drafthouse in East El Paso on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.
El Paso and Juárez native Saul “Cassandro” Armendariz is embraced by his friends and family at the Alamo Drafthouse in East El Paso on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, before an advanced screening of “Cassandro,” a biopic on his life and career.
El Paso and Juárez native Saul “Cassandro” Armendariz is embraced by his friends and family at the Alamo Drafthouse in East El Paso on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, before an advanced screening of “Cassandro,” a biopic on his life and career.
Costumes of El Paso and Juárez native Saul “Cassandro” Armendariz are displayed at the entrance of the Alamo Drafthouse in East El Paso for an advanced screening of “Cassandro,” a biopic on his life and career for his friends and family that was premiered after a red carpet on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.
Costumes of El Paso and Juárez native Saul “Cassandro” Armendariz are displayed at the entrance of the Alamo Drafthouse in East El Paso for an advanced screening of “Cassandro,” a biopic on his life and career for his friends and family that was premiered after a red carpet on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.
A bottle of champagne is popped to celebrate as the Alamo Drafthouse Big Show theater was dedicated to El Paso and Juárez native Saul “Cassandro” Armendariz before an advanced screening of “Cassandro,” a biopic on his life and career for his friends and family at the Alamo Drafthouse in East El Paso on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.
A bottle of champagne is popped to celebrate as the Alamo Drafthouse Big Show theater was dedicated to El Paso and Juárez native Saul “Cassandro” Armendariz before an advanced screening of “Cassandro,” a biopic on his life and career for his friends and family at the Alamo Drafthouse in East El Paso on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Cassandro film: Gael Garcia Bernal in new, pro wrestler biopic