Argentina – the land of tango, the Andes, and seemingly endless inflation. Since President Javier Milei took office, Argentina has entered a period of profound transformation. Subsidies have been slashed, the public sector has undergone sweeping cuts, labor protections have been weakened, and environmental regulations have been rolled back – all in the name of a neoliberal shock therapy that has shaken the country to its core.
Stephan Orth travels through a nation divided and in transition. In Buenos Aires, he joins his football-obsessed host for kickabouts on local pitches before immersing himself in the electrifying atmosphere of the Superclásico – the legendary showdown between Boca Juniors and River Plate. In Rosario, he navigates the chaotic rhythm of city life with his host, gaining insight into how economic turmoil shapes people's everyday lives. And in Patagonia, he hikes through the breathtaking landscapes of the Andes with another local host, experiencing one of Argentina's most spectacular natural regions.
Despite the country's many crises, Stephan Orth also discovers the remarkable joy for life that defines so many Argentinians. His philosophy is simple: genuine connections are not made by ticking off tourist attractions, but by listening, sharing experiences, and exchanging stories. At a time of growing social division, he believes it is more important than ever to engage in conversations across borders and to replace unfamiliarity with understanding through direct human encounters.
Format: Auslandsjournal – Die Doku
My roles: Author, Director of Photography
Production: Manuel Möglich, Michael Kappler
Edit: Michael Stragies
Broadcaster: ZDF
A production by: Sendefähig GmbH
ZDF: Alexander Glodzinski (Editorial),
Ulrike Schork (Production),
Stefanie Schoeneborn (Head of Programme)
Category: Travel & Culture
Length: 30′
Year: 2026
First broadcast: March 2026