Sundance Review: Jaripeo Offers an Immersive Look at Mexico’s Queer Rodeo Culture

      There has always been an allure to the image of the cowboy, celebrated as a symbol of traditional masculinity while also being the subject of satire. Queerness has broadened our perception of what a cowboy can or should represent, but the archetypes of figures like John Wayne or Clint Eastwood persist for many. Rebecca Zweig and Efraín Mojica’s film Jaripeo—named for and set against the backdrop of Mexican bull-riding rodeos—focuses on this image, exploring how various men attending these events question, eroticize, and humorously critique it.

      Rather than providing a detailed explanation of what a jaripeo entails, Zweig and Mojica quickly create a sense of locale through both reflective visuals and informal dialogues. Traditions permeate every facet of this environment, and the diverse men they interview highlight how queerness pierces through, as well as how outdated notions of masculinity remain ingrained in some individuals, making escape impossible. Within Mexican culture, machismo is predominant, and it's fascinating to learn how these men have been distinctly shaped by it. One protagonist has opted never to reveal his sexual orientation to his family, isolates himself from the community, and yearns to date a similarly masculine cowboy, while another openly embraces his femininity, socializes with other queer individuals at church, and even discusses the idea of hosting a quinceañera at 20.

      The film predominantly tracks these men in their everyday lives, either at the jaripeo or at home, but it intermittently shifts to footage from the Super 8 camera that Mojica carries, suggesting that the film stock itself embodies a queer perspective. These moments serve as a pointed examination of gay semiotics, reimagined within the context of a pueblo cowboy lifestyle rather than 1970s San Francisco. Jaripeo also showcases bold visual techniques, such as scenes of hips undulating on a mechanical bull or an evening of cruising through a cornfield that resembles a bathhouse. The uniquely crafted score by Emilia Ezeta and Marton Radics, which blends electronic and norteño elements, enhances the overall experience.

      Scenes at the jaripeo are equally captivating, whether it's witnessing one protagonist transition from struggling to mount a bull to successfully riding it, or watching another don a drag appearance and interact playfully with the audience. However, the ongoing tension between masculinity and femininity is central to Jaripeo, highlighted by Mojica's challenge to one of his most masculine subjects about his aversion to both femininity and those who defy traditional norms he has been socialized to desire. The candid exchanges between the filmmaker and subjects navigate probing inquiries, a form of teasing flirtation, and genuine curiosity about the sources of arousal. Notably, Mojica refrains from passing judgment, unlike many queer critics with a focus on questioning gender norms; he recognizes that desires are often complex and hard to articulate.

      Some viewers may feel dissatisfied with the relatively lightweight nature of this "slice of life" documentary, which offers only a brief peek into the experiences of a few individuals. However, the film's commitment to showcasing a small community allowed to exist and openly discuss their wishes and reservations is what makes it truly captivating. Jaripeo does not aspire to be a definitive exploration of gay cowboys, Mexican culture, queer semiotics, or any other referenced themes; instead, it values the examination of these issues and their manifestations within various communities far more than delivering a lecture.

      Jaripeo made its debut at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.