'Gaucho Gaucho': The film screening's echoes in Taos

By Haven Lindsey

Taoseños will get a glimpse into the community of cowboys and cowgirls who live beyond the reach of modern society by way of a beautifully shot 2024 documentary, titled "Gaucho Gaucho," directed by acclaimed filmmakers Gregory Kershaw and Michael Dweck. The film celebrates the profound connection the Argentine gauchos have to their land, traditions and the natural world that surrounds them. It will be screened today (May 22) at the Taos Community Auditorium of the Taos Center for the Arts, 145 Paseo del Pueblo Norte.

Much like the Indigenous people of Northern New Mexico, who have lived in deep connection with the land for centuries, the gauchos cultivate a profound relationship with their environment, grounded in tradition and respect for nature. Aquí en Taos, the blend of Native American heritage and the influence of generations of settlers has shaped a community that values the sacredness of the land. Here, residents continue to honor ancestral traditions, tending to the Earth in ways that reflect a deep respect for its life-giving energy. In Argentina, the gauchos live with similar values and traditions in their rugged homeland. Both communities, in their own unique and respective ways, share a timeless bond with the land that sustains them, with every interaction with nature serving as a reminder of the enduring spirit of place.

Kershaw and Dweck are three-time honorees at the Sundance Film Festival, one of the most prestigious independent film festivals in the country which is held annually in Utah. In “Gaucho Gaucho,” the duo focuses on the Argentine mountains, where the gauchos continue to live and work in ways that seem far removed from the modern world.

The film offers a rare and intimate portrayal of the gauchos, iconic figures in Argentine history and culture. “Gaucho Gaucho” provides viewers with a glimpse into a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for generations. With stunning black-and-white cinematography where life becomes art, the film paints a near operatic portrait of life in the mountains. The raw, natural beauty of the landscape is juxtaposed with a deep sense of community and tradition. The values that the gauchos hold dear may be rooted in a distant land but will likely feel familiar to many here at home.

 At its heart, the documentary is about the passing of wisdom from one generation to the next. As the older gauchos share their knowledge of the land, their animals and their customs, the younger generation faces the challenge of keeping these sacred traditions alive while contending with the pressures of a rapidly changing and modernized world. The film explores how the gauchos, who live a life of relative isolation, continue to battle for their families' legacy as the modern "fast-twitch" world looms. This struggle is not only about preserving a sacred and revered way of life, but also about maintaining a connection to the land and the values that have sustained their community for centuries.

 Yes, on the surface it is a film about cowboys. But “Gaucho Gaucho” is much more than that. This is an exploration of identity, traditions and cultures, and the fight for survival against increasingly challenging odds. Through interviews and stunning visuals, Kershaw and Dweck weave a narrative that transcends the specificities of Argentine culture and speaks to universal themes of resilience in a world where cultures are too often compromised. 

The film effectively spotlights the importance of preserving the sacred without romanticizing or reducing it to a spectacle. Instead, “Gaucho Gaucho” invites viewers to witness a way of life with quiet reverence and offers the opportunity to not only admire their resilience but to understand the “whys.” The film may well provide Taoseños with an opportunity to draw a connection to the Taos Pueblo, its people and their sacred traditions. It's possible that after watching the film, our community may feel more connected to the traditions that were here long before non-Natives.

Following the screening, the TCA will host a virtual Q&A session with the directors who will share insights into the making of the film and the process of capturing a deeply intimate and evocative subject with respect. As described by the directors, the gauchos are not just cultural icons; they are symbols of resistance to the erosion of traditional values in a world that increasingly favors the convenience of technology and urbanization.

 FYI

“Gaucho Gaucho”
Thursday (May 22) at 6 p.m.