Gauchos were known as the iconic, nomadic horsemen of South America, travelling through the weather-beaten pampas of Patagonia, capturing wild cattle for survival and occasionally offering up their skills to the nearby ranches for money and other goods. Nowadays, these often-mythologised figures of stoicism, freedom and wilderness live alone in far-flung outposts, working as ‘Puesteros’, tending to the livestock owned by wealthy ranchers. Through a mosaic of these characters’ experiences, we explore the historic cultural practice that is struggling to survive in a rapidly changing world – now dominated by technology and tourism, and affected by the very present effects of climate change. Sequences of puesto life will be punctuated by the pristine and majestic Patagonian landscape, serving as a mesmerising and meditative portrait of sacrifice, tradition and endurance in extreme conditions, uncovering the mental and physical ramifications of what may be the last Gauchos of Patagonia.
Matias is a filmmaker who was born in Australia to Chilean parents and grew up in the Chilean community of Western Sydney. In 2020 Matias co-edited the documentary WASH MY SOUL IN THE RIVER’S FLOW by Philippa Bateman about iconic singer/songwriters Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter which premiered at Sydney Film Festival and won Best Documentary at AIDC. Matias was the writer of the Chilean segment of the feature film anthology HERE OUT WEST which was the opening film of Sydney Film Festival in 2021. Matias’ short film CAMPESINOS about Patagonian Gauchos was selected for 11 International film festivals and was also selected as a Vimeo Staff Pick in 2020. In 2022 Matias Co-Created and Co-Directed 8 NIGHTS OUT WEST an 8 x 10 min episode Factual Web Series for ABC TV/ ABC iView that uncovers the culinary hotspots that are shaping the culture of Western Sydney’s suburbs.
