Introduction

📖 There are stories that sneak up on you when you least expect them. That’s what happened to me during a road trip through the rugged landscapes of Patagonia back in 2018. What started as a scenic journey turned into a five-year project—capturing the isolated lives of lone cowboys called gaos.

This story, born out of curiosity and passion, evolved into a collaborative multimedia venture, including a documentary film, an exhibition, and a book. It’s more than just a story about cowboys; it’s about mental health, masculinity, isolation, and the delicate relationship between people and land.

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The Cowboys We Found

🛻 Patagonia’s gaos live an existence on vast ranches owned by wealthy families, caring for cattle in almost complete solitude. These men, now between the ages of 50 and 85, traveled decades ago to remote regions, seeking work but finding a lifestyle of seclusion. Many have no families of their own, spending their days in reflection, far from the noise of modern life.

Meeting them was serendipitous. It was during a long road trip that I stumbled across these forgotten cowboys. Intrigued by their way of life, I knew their stories needed to be told. And that’s when I connected with Matias, a Chilean-Australian filmmaker, whose short film on the same topic sparked our partnership.

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Building Trust and Capturing Authenticity

📸 One thing I’ve learned: You can’t rush authenticity. Telling someone’s story, especially one never told before, requires trust. Over the last few years, we’ve spent six weeks annually living among these men—capturing their routines, interviewing them in their humble homes, and building friendships.

The isolation of these cowboys isn’t just physical but emotional, too. As we dug deeper, themes of mental health and masculinity began to surface, adding complexity to the narrative. It wasn’t just a story about cowboys—it was about human dignity and what it means to find peace in solitude.

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Overcoming COVID Challenges

✈️ Like many projects, the pandemic threw us a curveball. Australia went into lockdown, and Matias couldn’t travel for two years. We spent that time refining our script, and when the world opened up again, we were on the first flight back to Patagonia.

Now, with the fieldwork complete, we’ve transitioned into the editing phase—crafting a 90-minute documentary and preparing content for the exhibition and book. Self-funding this project has been a challenge, but our small crew’s dedication and the relationships we’ve built make it worthwhile.

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Lessons Learned Along the Way

❤️ What I’ve realized through this journey is that stories don’t have to be found on the other side of the world. They are everywhere—sometimes right in your neighborhood. The key is investing time, showing mutual respect, and building meaningful connections. Only after these relationships are established can a story be truly captured.

This project isn’t just about documenting—it’s about honoring these men and their untold stories. We’re not just sharing images or film; we’re sharing life as it is—unfiltered, intimate, and real.

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