Society of the Snow

The true story of the survivors of the 1972 Uruguayan plane crash over the Andes mountains has been translated into film before, most notably in the 1993 Ethan Hawke starring film Alive. While the remarkable and tragic story has been the subject of plenty of attention in years past, it has been met with plenty of tabloid sensationalism given the extreme measures of survival taken by the survivors. Now over 50 years since the crash, the film adaptation of Pablo Vierci’s novel of the same name aims to tell a more dignified account of the events. After helming the blockbuster 2018 sequel Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, filmmaker JA Bayona returns to his roots, not only making a true story survival film in the vein of his 2012 Oscar-nominated The Impossible, but also directing his first Spanish language feature since his feature debut, the gothic horror film The Orphanage. Like The Impossible, Society of the Snow is undoubtedly a grueling viewing experience, but proves rewarding by giving humanity and authenticity to a real-life disaster.

In 1972, Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 carried 45 passengers, including the Christians Club Rugby Team, from Uruguay to Chile. After the plane crashes, the remaining survivors use what they can to survive the catastrophic conditions. After weeks of dwindling resources and facing the ever-growing threat of hunger, the survivors make the ultimate decision to consume the bodies of their deceased friends and relatives. By emphasizing the humanity of those involved, Bayona makes this well-publicized disaster into a gripping tale of hope in the face of survival.

Courtesy Netflix

Bayona expertly weaves his way around an ensemble of actors, not specifically choosing a lead. The cast of over a dozen actors all make memorable impressions and breathe life into this true story. By highlighting the dynamics of the characters and their resourcefulness, Bayona, and the script, co-written by Jaime Marques-Olarreaga, Nicolas Casariego and Bernat Vilaplana, maintain a respectable, yet honest portrayal of what it means to work together in the face of unimaginable odds. Bayona is a skilled enough craftsman to marry the elements of an immersive disaster film, with a deeper, philosophical approach to character. The plane crash sequence is horrifying, with visceral use of sound and unflinching visuals. The blending of practical locations and sets with digital backgrounds is entirely seamless as Bayona’s tactile approach to filmmaking adds a real sense of the scale to this story.

The juxtaposition between the beautiful, chilly mountain terrain and the harsh conditions of those trying to survive it is portrayed as realistically as possible. There is real movie magic on display, portraying the survivors attempting to live through the blistering cold, surrounded by snow and often literally covered in it. The highly accurate makeup work, which accounts for growing facial hair, changes to skin, is remarkable, adding to the immersion of Bayona’s film.  By the time the film does come to the inevitable act of cannibalism, much of the runtime has been spent with the characters as they reckon with their faith and grief, often challenging one another’s philosophies. Facing the ever-growing threat of hunger, it’s a decision the film weighs heavily, laying out the thought process behind such a drastic measure. Running at 145 minutes, the laborious pacing can often make certain stretches of runtime feel more sluggish than others, but never outright dragging.

Society of the Snow is a dignified, harrowing retelling of the survivors of Air Force Flight 571. JA Bayona’s hopeful, yet grueling portrayal of this real-life tragedy adds nuance and grace to an event that has largely been sensationalized and defined by its most graphic elements.