Society of the Snow is more than a stark portrayal of the Miracle of the Andes tragedy; it delves into profound themes of friendship, faith, and the ethical dilemmas that arise in life-threatening situations.
This powerful Netflix film goes beyond merely recounting familiar details of the incident. Instead, it focuses on exploring the profound human impact and emotional toll of the disaster.
Standing out as a major contender for awards this year alongside Maestro, Society of the Snow offers a visually stunning experience with a deep moral consciousness.
The film recounts the tragic crash of Uruguayan Flight 571 in the Andes in October 1972, which claimed 29 lives and led to a harrowing 72-day survival ordeal for a group of young rugby players.
Their story, which has previously been adapted in the 1993 film Alive starring Ethan Hawke and inspired Showtime’s Yellowjackets, is portrayed here with a fresh perspective, avoiding sensationalism and focusing on the essence of the human experience.
Spanish director JA Bayona makes thoughtful choices to handle the tragedy with respect. By casting lesser-known Argentinian and Uruguayan actors instead of big-name stars and emphasizing the collective struggle over individual stories, he maintains the film’s integrity.
Additionally, the film honors each victim by displaying their names and ages as they succumb to injuries, cold, starvation, or the harsh conditions of the Andes.
Based on Pablo Vierci’s book of the same name, Society of the Snow incorporates the perspectives of the sixteen survivors who were extensively interviewed for the film. The script weaves together intense action with profound reflections on memory, morality, and death. The narrative is anchored by Numa Turcatti (played by Enzo Vogrincic), a 24-year-old law student who, despite not being scheduled to fly, becomes a moral guide for both the characters and the audience.
With Turcatti’s perspective, the film evolves into a humanistic experience, balancing raw realism, subtle sentimentality, and existential depth.
Society of the snow: A Sensory Overload of Reality and Emotion
In terms of realism, Bayona pulls no punches. The plane crash sequence is as harrowing as the tsunami scene in The Impossible, escalating from initial turbulence to a nightmarish disaster, with seats crashing, bones breaking, and the plane disintegrating to reveal the snowy horror below.
The film’s meticulous production enhances its impact, from shooting at the actual crash site to the actors’ physical transformations and the horrifyingly realistic makeup effects by David Martí and Montse Ribé.
Society of the Snow seeks to overwhelm the senses, retelling a well-known story not through familiar methods but by reimagining it in a new, profound light.
