Streaming worldwide:
CASSANDRO
Cassandro is the new scripted film from Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Roger Ross Williams, starring Gael García Bernal. It had its world premiere at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, and streams globally on Prime Video starting September 22.
An outsider turned unlikely superstar
Cassandro is the new scripted film from Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Roger Ross Williams.
It starsGael García Bernal as Saúl Armendáriz, an American-born luchador wrestler, who grew up near the U.S.-Mexican border in El Paso, Texas.
Being gay in this machismo-driven industry, he creates a flamboyant persona known as Cassandro, theLiberace of Lucha Libre. And against all odds, he becomes one of Mexican wrestling’s most unique heroes, not just upending the macho wrestling world, but also his own life…
“My own life experience as a gay, black man has made me realize the importance of telling stories we don’t usually hear. The true story of Cassandro, Saúl Armendáriz, was one I knew I wanted to tell from the moment I met him.” – RRW
Cassandro streams globally on Prime Video.
Stamped from the Beginning: premieres Nov. 10 in select theaters, Nov. 20 on Netflix
Inspired by the book of the same name by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Roger Ross Williams’Stamped From the Beginning explores the history of anti-Black ideas in a way that helps us grapple with present-day racism.
“This is about power and the few clinging to power and using it at the expense of Black Americans. This isn’t just a film for Black Americans. This is a film for all Americans, for the whole world. And hopefully, it brings people together and leads people on a path of antiracism and healing.” – RRW
Photo byJustin Jun Lee for The LATimes
The LA Times: “You’re about to hear a lot about Roger Ross Williams. He’s ready for his moment.”
“I’m so grateful to be in the position I am in this business, to be able to create series, documentary features, now scripted narrative features — to be able to do it all,” he says. “That’s a privilege, and I want to extend that privilege to everyone like me. I want them all to have the same opportunities that I have.”
Read Jen Yamato’s full article with photos by Justin Jun Lee at The LA Times
Cassandro:
“Seasoned documentarian Roger Ross Williams makes an assured transition into narrative features with this entertaining biopic, which doubles as a gorgeous depiction of mother-son love and an exhilarating exploration of fearless queer identity in a macho environment.”
Cassandro:
“Williams’ story of coming out and acceptance is both riveting and often touching, and Bernal gives quite possibly his best performance in this beautiful story of finding yourself and becoming who you were always supposed to be.”
Cassandro:
“Skepticism about documentary filmmakers crossing over to fiction, especially in a project largely in a language not their own with a myriad of culturally specific traits, is justified; butCassandro results in an impressive transition for Ross Williams”
Love to Love You, Donna Summer:
“a nuanced exploration of an artist of enormous talent and lasting influence, plagued by inner conflict”
“Roger Ross Williams is changing the face of documentary film. The prolific Oscar-winning filmmaker and producer has continually leveraged his passion and talent to raise up new voices and stories.”
“Williams spent two years on this project, and the trust everyone involved placed in him allowed for an emotional honesty that isLife, Animated’s greatest strength.”
“Roger Ross Williams’One Story Up Is A Powerhouse Production Company Giving Hope To BIPOC Talent.”
“Traveling While Black draws a line from the past to the present, and forces audiences to confront contemporary realities as well. The film is leading the charge of VR as an instrument of social change.”
“Equally moving, informative, and infuriating, Netflix’s “The Innocence Files” is one of the best true crime series ever made.”
“High on the Hog will make you ravenous in every way. For the culinary delights with which it is stuffed to bursting, for its nuanced intelligence, its joy, its pace; for the expertise of its presenter; … and, most of all, for its profound difference in spirit and content from almost everything that has gone before.”
God Loves Uganda:
“Williams is to be commended not only for his filmmaking skill, but also for pulling back the curtain on a most disturbing situation.”
“Life, Animated conveys the deeply moving sense that Owen, however fortunate in his choice of obsession, was even more blessed to be born into a family this tirelessly supportive — one that saw the wisdom of never encouraging him to put childish things away.”
High on the Hog:
“A nuanced celebration of African Americans and their food. It is also sorely overdue.”
“Williams captures vérité footage so shocking that viewers may be squirming in their seats. Masterfully crafted and astonishingly provocative,God Loves Uganda may be the most terrifying film of the year.”