Director: J.A. Bayona
Writers: J.A. Bayona, Bernat Vilaplana, Jaime Marquez
Stars: Agustín Pardella, Esteban Kukuriczka, Francisco Romero
Synopsis: The flight of a rugby team crashes on a glacier in the Andes. The few passengers who survive the crash find themselves in one of the world’s toughest environments to survive.
This is not the first time the 1972 Andes flight disaster has been adapted into a movie. At the time, the film Alive could have been considered as notorious as any movie outside the B-variety that dared to depict cannibalism outside the studio system. John Marshall’s adaptation of Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors by Piers Paul Read is presented in an almost campy adventure film style, complete with special effects that were state-of-the-art at the time but pale in comparison today. This latest Netflix retelling from J.A. Bayona surpasses its predecessor in almost every aspect, capturing the power of visceral storytelling through the concept of normalization.
Directed by Mr. Bayona and adapted from the nonfiction book La sociedad de la nieve by Pablo Vierci – the second book he wrote on the matter – the film follows the ill-fated journey of the 1972 Stella Maris College Rugby team aboard Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571. In a spectacular and horrifying scene, Mr. Bayona, director of photography Pedro Luque, and special effects artists Félix Bergés and Laura Pedro collaborate brilliantly to craft one of the most suspenseful and captivating disaster scenes in modern film history. The atmosphere is thick with youthful exuberance, juxtaposed with the sobering reality that wrenches that behavior away.
The film’s success extends beyond its aesthetic qualities. It immerses viewers in a gripping cinematic experience. The screenplay by Mr. Bayona, his collaborator on The Impossible, Bernat Vilaplana, Jaime Marques, and Nicolas Casariego faithfully portrays Mr. Vierci’s work, offering viewers a palpable sense of time, place, and the real-world stakes and tragedies of physical anguish and mental health toll. Additionally, the script delves into the ethical dilemma of the pros and cons of resorting to cannibalism among strangers, friends, and family. It adeptly balances moments of hope with setbacks that test the resilience of the real-life subjects.
As the script progresses, the concept of normalization takes hold, transforming the horror of how the 16 survivors endure their ordeal into a backdrop for an exhilarating and harrowing survival story in its third act. There are numerous moments when these young men strive for a semblance of normalcy, such as capturing the joy in a group photograph. Some individuals conceal evidence of their alternative food source for survival in certain scenes. Yet, you’ll be horrified by the sight of bones lying beside the group as they smile for the photograph. This scene is not fictional, and a simple Google search will reveal the jaw-dropping image that evidently was an afterthought. These powerful scenes give the story of grounded reality that never seems outlandish.
Adding to the film’s authenticity is the cast, whom Mr. Bayona selects exclusively from Uruguayan and Argentine actors many of whom are making their debut]] in film roles. One can imagine that the filmmaker harnesses their anxiety, nervousness, and even fear to instill tension in their performances, yet still manages to feel almost minimalist. Among the standouts are those by Enzo Vogrincic Roldan and Agustín Pardella. The latter portrays Fernando ‘Nando’ Parrado, one of the individuals who courageously faced the elements to seek help. Pardella’s performance in the third act culminates in a nuanced, emotional, and profoundly affecting scene. Roldan, on the other hand, portrays Numa Turcatti. His thoughtful and meditative narration infuses the film with warmth, providing a heartfelt anchor amidst the emotionally evocative freezing conditions.
It should come as no surprise that Mr. Bayona’s film stands as a masterclass in technical filmmaking, given its astonishing real-life story, a handful of compelling performances, and breathtaking beauty amidst a horrific plight. The narrative structure and respect shown towards the survivors are pivotal, seamlessly weaving in universal emotions such as fear, bravery, loss, and hope. This grants Netflix’s Society of The Snow an honest emotional resonance rarely seen in survival thriller films. When paired with Michael Giacchino’s haunting yet contemplative score, Society of The Snow establishes itself as a cinematic experience like no other.
