“I was fascinated by its culture full of life”

Sarah Siegel-Magnessdaughter of the founders of the iconic tea brand Celestial Seasonings, was born in Boulder, Colorado. Her more or less known role is as a film producer. In this role, Sarah touched the sky with her hands with Lovely (2009).

The film directed by Lee Daniels, based on the novel Push (by the American writer Sapphire), which tells the story of an illiterate and abused young African-American woman, received six Oscar nominations and won two of them in 2010. In addition, Sarah directed a successful comedy, Crazy Kind of Lovein 2013.

But the twists and turns of life took her to know Argentina, country with which he fell in love at first sight. “I spend several months a year here; “It has become my second home,” he says.

She looks full, happy, enjoying every minute in these lands. The smile gives her away. Always accompanied by her faithful friend Rosita (her dog), Sarah enjoys every corner of Buenos Aires. The relationship with this city has now been going on for more than a quarter of a century. She herself recounts the link in detail.

“I visited Argentina for the first time 26 years ago for my husband’s livestock business. There I fell in love. I was fascinated by its culture full of life. “It is deeply rooted in family, tradition and passion, in its art, in its love of food or in its dedication to sports like polo,” he says.

“Argentinians are incredibly welcoming and have great pride in their country. Plus, I love how they share: mate, roast, everything! They take the time to sit and be together, without a phone. “Amo!”, he details, revealing, in his gaze, that unforgettable crush.

Two years ago, she and her husband Gary Magness, president of Magness Investment Group LLC, bought their own ranch in La Dolfina Ranch, so they could spend long periods of time here.

“Over time, I have developed a deep sense of belonging thanks to the friendships I have cultivated in recent years and the connection I feel with the country. It’s hard to put it into words, but I feel like I know this place foreveralmost as if she had lived here in another life,” explains Sarah, who, as a colorful fact, also reveals that her daughter has been in a relationship with an Argentinian for eight years.

“I grew up in Colorado and remember how glamorous the Argentinian skiers looked when they visited us. I watched them carefully, admiring their style and confidence: that left a lasting impression on me,” says the businesswoman and producer.

Beyond the local culture there was another point that dazzled her, polo. Only seven years ago he got on a horse for the first time and never left this sport again.

He says: “My passion for polo began in Costa Careyes, Mexico. There I learned to ride a horse and started playing. However, my real introduction to the Argentine polo scene came through Memo Gracida, my first coach. When I saw the world of polo here, I was impressed. I knew that if I wanted to get better, this was the place where all the magic happens. “It was polo that really rooted me here and deepened my connection to this incredible country.”

His agenda is marked by competitions. The peak season is from September to December and Sarah takes advantage of them 100%.

“Before I stayed in a hotel in Buenos Aires and did some practice, but now I have my own house, a stable and I play super important matches and several tournaments at the same time, whether with women or mixed,” he says.

On her team she plays alongside Mía (21), the eldest daughter of Adolfo Cambiaso and María Vázquez, and now she is going to compete in a tournament with Myla Cambiaso (14), the youngest of the couple.

“He plays very well, it’s impressive. I help her have her own team and be able to play; “I am always trying to support other women in polo, because it is a very expensive sport and sponsors are always needed,” she adds.

That he has received distinctions for his work in film is no coincidence. Sarah assures that her great passion lies in telling stories and it was precisely that impulse that led her to start new projects in Argentina, such as BA Confidential, a podcast in which you immerse yourself in the world of well-known local personalities.

Each episode of BA Confidential is recorded in representative locations of the interviewee. The purpose is that viewers can see each guest’s world more closely.

“The idea came from my deep love of telling stories and the unique bond I have formed with this country. I wanted to meet new people and share the remarkable stories of the people and places I have found hereoffering a fresh perspective on a side of Argentina that many may not know. I also realized that because I didn’t grow up facing the same challenges, I see the country through a lens of optimism and positivity. “I wanted Argentinians to see themselves through my perspective,” explains Sarah.

And he expands: “When the idea of BA ConfidentialI shared it with (model and entrepreneur) Ivana Figueras, and she immediately took action. In less than 24 hours I had identified the key people I needed to connect with to make it happen.” Figures such as the artist La Chola Poblete, the actor Martín Piroyanski, the former dancer Paloma Herrera and the cook Narda Lepes have paraded through the cycle.

Regarding her role as an interviewer, she does not hesitate to affirm that she feels very comfortable: “I love meeting people and learning something new. I never prepare specific questions, because I enjoy listening with an open mind, as if it were a simple conversation. I like to be creative in the moment. This podcast seemed like the perfect way to connect with new people, explore more of the country, and share those stories in a way that was fun and empathetic. My hope for this project is that it inspires listeners to see Argentina from a new perspective.”

The first episode of the podcast was released on Wednesday, October 23, and is available on major listening platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, but also from YouTube.

“I am learning a lot about Argentine culture. The art scene is especially impressive; Argentine art is deeply emotional and rich in history. Whether in cinema, literature or visual art, there is always a strong emotional current that runs through it, reflecting the spirit of its people. I admire him deeply.”

As a producer, she also gives herself the space to reflect on local fiction: “I love how the stories in Argentine films stand out for their rawness and authenticityoffering a unique perspective that I can’t wait to immerse myself in.”

Her gaze reflects the happiness she feels being here, surrounded by her horses, barbecues and friends. He assures that living here for a few months is charming and that he would like to share this feeling with everyone: “To someone who does not know Argentina I would say that It is one of the most beautiful, culturally rich and welcoming places you could visit. It is a country with incredible diversity, from the Buenos Aires tango to the wine regions of Mendoza and the polo fields. There really is something for everyone here.”