'Lucha Mexico' US Theatrical Release: Lucha Libre Documentary Announces Premiere Date

Kino Lorber has announced the U.S. release of the feature documentary Lucha Mexico by filmmakers Alex Hammond and Ian Markiewicz. The film will have its theatrical and iTunes release on Friday, July 15, playing in cities across the country including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston, among many others. The ultimate look behind the mask, “Lucha Mexico” documents the joyous spectacle of Lucha Libre (wrestling), which has thrilled fans in Mexico for generations.

The Lucha Libre community made headlines last year after the shocking death of El Hijo del Perro Aguayo during a deadly match. Shot over the course of four years and with an unprecedented level of access to the top Lucha promotions and performers in the world, including the tragic hardcore wrestler Perro Aguayo Jr., Hammond and Markiewicz offer a no-holds-barred look at the world of some of the sport's top performers, also featuring “1000% Guapo” Shocker, Luchador heir Blue Demon Jr., and extreme American bodybuilder Jon "Strongman" Andersen.

The luchadores illuminate the physical and emotional challenges they face in the constant fight to stand between the ropes and thrill every last fan. “Lucha Mexico” steps into the ring, pulls back the mask, and reveals a powerful look into the beating heart of Mexico.

This marks Hammond and Markiewicz second collaboration, their first film together was the acclaimed documentary "Better Than Something: Jay Reatard" (2012) about the controversial and prolific garage rock icon Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., better known to the world as Jay Reatard.

"The film is one of the (DOC NYC’s) most generous in terms of breadth — there are revelations about the sport, its performers, and its fans every few moments, and the screen bursts with color and wild motion."
—Alan Scherstuhl, Village Voice

"A headlong dive into the world of masked superheroes and villains."
—David Edelstein, New York Magazine

Theatrical Engagements and Playdates:
Albuquerque, NM: Guild Cinema – July 15 – 18
Astoria, NY: Museum of the Moving Image – July 15
Aurora, CO: Cinema Latino de Aurora – Opens July 15
Boulder, CO: Boedecker Theater – July 15
Brooklyn, NY: Nitehawk Cinema – Opens July 14
Buena Park, CA: Krikorian Buena Park Metroplex 18 – Opens July 15
Chicago, IL: Gene Siskel Film Center – Opens July 15
Cleveland, OH: Capitol Theater – Opens July 22
Dallas, TX: Texas Theatre – Opens July 15
Detroit, MI: Cinema Detroit – Opens July 15
El Paso, TX: Alamo Drafthouse El Paso – Opens July 15
Fort Worth, TX: La Gran Plaza, Cineamerica – Opens July 15
Houston, TX: Alamo Vintage Park – Opens July 15
Lincoln, NE: Mary Riepma Ross Film Theatre – Opens July 15
Louisville, KY: Speed Art Museum – Opens July 15
Lubbock TX: Alamo Drafthouse Lubbock – Opens July 15
New Orleans, LA: Zeitgeist Arts Center – Opens July 15
New York, NY: IFC Center - July 15 and 16
Paramount, CA: Bianchi Theatres – Opens July 15
Pasadena, CA: Laemmle Playhouse 7 – Opens July 15
Phoenix, AZ: Cinema Latino de Phoenix – Opens July 15
Phoenix, AZ: Film Bar – July 15 and 17
Portland, OR: Hollywood Theatre – July 22
San Diego, CA: Media Arts Center San Diego / Digital Gym – Opens July 15
San Rafael, CA: Rafael Film Center – July 17
Santa Ana, CA: Frida Cinema – Opens July 15
Santa Fe, NM: The Screen – Opens July 15
Seattle, WA: Grand Illusion Cinema – Opens July 15
Van Nuys, CA: Regency Plant 16 – Opens July 15