3/9/2007 7:15 PM Camera 12, 3/10/2007 11:00 AM Camera 12, 3/11/2007 1:45 PM Camera 12

Mexico’s Lucha Libre wrestlers are larger than life figures, their colorful costumes and masks setting them apart from the regular populace. Five men have taken advantage of this and created Lucha Libre personas that tie in with their social activism. This documentary explains the origins and describes the activites of: Super Animal, who protests bullfights and works for animal rights; Ecologista Universal, who fights against the pollution rampant in Mexico; Super Barrio, a tenants’ rights activist; Fray Tormenta, a priest who inspired the film “Nacho Libre” and uses his winnings from wrestling to fund orphanages; and Super Gay, who leads gay pride marches and counsels victims of homophobia.
“Super Amigos” feels almost like a mockumentary — its camerawork is very polished and there were obviously several camera teams working together and the animation used to show events in the past is excellent. Plus, of course, to most Americans, Lucha Libre wrestlers don’t seem like the most likely social activists. The five wrestlers profiled here, however, most certainly are real and very serious about their causes.