Society of the Snow

Movie Title: Society of the Snow
Director: J.A. Bayona
Genre: Survival Drama
Year of Release: 2023
Date of Release: December 22, 2023 (United States)
Length of Movie: 2 hours 24 minutes
Country: Spain, United States
Soundtracks: Composed by Michael Giacchino, featuring tracks like “Survivors’ Symphony” and “Andean Echoes.”
Age Rating: R (for language throughout, brief full nudity, some sexuality, and strong violence)

---

About the Movie:

Society of the Snow is a survival drama based on the true story of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which crashed in the Andes Mountains in 1972.

The film chronicles the ordeal of the survivors as they endure extreme conditions and make unimaginable choices to stay alive.

Main Plot & Characters

On October 13, 1972, a plane carrying a Uruguayan rugby team and their supporters crashes into a glacier in the Andes.

Of the 45 passengers, 29 survive the initial impact.

Stranded in one of the world’s harshest environments, they face freezing temperatures, avalanches, and dwindling supplies.

The group, including Nando Parrado (Agustín Pardella) and Roberto Canessa (Matías Recalt), must rely on each other and confront moral dilemmas to survive.

Key Themes of Society of the Snow

The film explores themes of human resilience, the will to survive, and the ethical boundaries tested in life-and-death situations. It looks into the strength of community and the lengths individuals will go to preserve life.

Themes Explored in Depth

• Human Resilience: It showcases the survivors’ determination and adaptability in the face of overwhelming odds.
• Moral Dilemmas: The movie also examines the ethical challenges encountered when survival necessitates unthinkable decisions.
• Community and Solidarity: It also highlights the importance of unity and collective effort in overcoming adversity.

Setting & Filming Locations

Set against the backdrop of the Andes Mountains, the film recreates the isolation and peril faced by the survivors.

Filming took place in the actual crash vicinity, providing a realistic portrayal of the environment.

Fun Facts about the Movie

• Director J.A. Bayona is known for his work on survival stories, including The Impossible, which depicted a family’s experience during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
• The film features a cast of Uruguayan and Argentine actors, many of whom are newcomers, adding authenticity to the portrayal.
• Society of the Snow was Spain’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 96th Academy Awards.

Quotes from the Movie

• “The night falls like an ambush. In the span of minutes, temperature drops 86 degrees. If the plane crash didn’t kill us, the cold will. We huddle together the best we can. Living and dead… as one.” – Numa Turcatti
• “This is a place where life is impossible. Out here, we are an anomaly.” – Numa Turcatti
• “There is no greater love than to give one’s life for friends.” – Numa Turcatti

Cast

• Enzo Vogrincic as Numa Turcatti
• Agustín Pardella as Fernando ‘Nando’ Parrado
• Matías Recalt as Roberto Canessa
• Esteban Bigliardi as Javier Methol
• Diego Vegezzi as Marcelo Pérez del Castillo
• Fernando Contigiani García as Arturo Nogueira
• Esteban Kukuriczka as Adolfo ‘Fito’ Strauch
• Francisco Romero as Daniel Fernández Strauch
• Rafael Federman as Eduardo Strauch
• Valentino Alonso as Alfredo ‘Pancho’ Delgado

Writers

• J.A. Bayona
• Bernat Vilaplana
• Jaime Marques

Have you seen this movie? Did you learn anything new about the real-life events or people from this movie?