Gaucho Gaucho

There is little connection to the modern world of industry or technology. However, adding to this very manly endeavor, Gaucho Gaucho follow a young woman’s journey in her decision to be a gaucho. An integral scene of her at school being reprimanded for not wearing the school’s uniform is priceless as she defends her position, refusing to concede as she makes it clear she is wearing the uniform of a gaucho. It is a brilliant moment of commitment and a young woman owning her belief system. It also helps that her father supports her in wisdom and love, both of whom were honored at the film’s premiere.

Competitions and festive occasions to connect to fellow gauchos and the next generation through rites of passage keep this traditional life and culture alive, and the passing of rituals, operations, and the gaucho world work as long as modern culture does not intercede. Like the eagle hunters of Mongolia who live, learn, and must find their eagle, a gaucho does the same for their horse. In a small, remote community, gauchos train, work, and herd, but not without authenticity, respect, and dedication to a tradition. However, the gaucho remains a strong pillar of culture and community, especially in this unique land where tradition, belief, and standard are unparalleled to the world beyond the gaucho’s domain. We see rituals for Pachamama, an aging gaucho who tries to maintain a herd from lack of water and the vultures circling in the sky, an elderly gaucho who consults his shaman priest, and a young woman making her way to earning her status.

“…a celebration of a community of Argentine cowboys and cowgirls who live beyond the boundaries of the modern world.”

Each generation of the gaucho is woven into this poetic and expressive documentary where the subjects’ actions, perhaps sometimes a bit staged, create an intimacy with the viewer that a standard documentary interview setup would have diluted.

Gaucho Gaucho is a celebration of a community of Argentine cowboys and cowgirls who live beyond the boundaries of the modern world. It is enhanced with beautiful camera work from galloping cowboy tracking shots, a multitude of embracing and cinematic camera angles, and a layered tone, sound, and music score that was excellently chosen in the observance of tradition and current times, creating a soundtrack worth having in one’s collection, making the film worthy of archival status.

Gaucho Gaucho screened at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.