Society of the Snow
J.A. Bayona’s harrowing and hopeful study of the Andes disaster takes a tender look at the strengths of man.
In the cold light of day: Enzo Vogrincic
Image courtesy of Netflix
On 12 October, 1972, Stella Maris College’s rugby team boarded Flight 571 in Montevideo, Uruguay, headed for Santiago, Chile, and a game that would never take place. The aeroplane crashed in the heart of the snow-covered Andes, one of the harshest environments on the planet. Trapped in extreme cold, the passengers were forced to take extreme measures to survive while awaiting an unlikely rescue. The tragedy was documented by the British historian Piers Paul Read in his 1974 book, Alive, which Frank Marshall adapted into the 1993 film of the same name starring Ethan Hawke. Written shortly after the incident, Alive became a popular book in Spanish-speaking households and a young J.A. Bayona recalls pouring over the text’s captivating images.
The Spanish filmmaker J.A. Bayona reconnected to the story while filming his tsunami survival thriller The Impossible. While on set, Bayona shared passages of the journalist Pablo Vierci’s new book of the account with star Naomi Watts and a young actor by the name of Tom Holland, who was making his feature debut. The title of Bayona’s 2012 film, The Impossible, was even inspired by a statement from Roberto Canessa, a survivor of the 1972 crash. Shortly thereafter, Bayona purchased the rights to Vierci’s book and began developing the story for the screen. A decade later, he debuts a difficult and rewarding watch.
Spain’s Oscar submission for best international film is not for the faint of heart. Bayona expertly cultivates shock, suspense, and dread in shots that feel straight out of a horror film. Yet, Society of the Snow discusses death in order to emphasise life, a theme common to Bayona’s work. Sensitive material is handled with a delicate touch in a film that is emotional without being sentimental. Bayona never shows more than the audience needs to see, allowing the imagination of the audience to do the rest.
There is a faith and hope that permeates the tale’s darkness, contrasting the fragility of the body with the strength of the human spirit. That journey is reflected in the accompanying score which builds ominous tones and a foreboding choir toward an eventual lullaby. The dynamic sound design takes things a step further, incorporating natural sounds recorded in the very valley where the accident occurred. An exceptional ensemble cast, intentionally composed of unfamiliar faces, brings everything beautifully to life, uncovering deeply human moments. The attention to detail at every level amounts to a vigorous and miraculous piece of filmmaking that highlights our capacity to care and the lasting impact it leaves behind.
Original title: La sociedad de la nieve.
CHAD KENNERK
Cast: Enzo Vogrincic, Matías Recalt, Agustín Pardella, Felipe González Otaño, Luciano Chatton, Valentino Alonso, Francisco Romero, Agustín Berruti, Andy Pruss, Simón Hempe, Juan Caruso, Esteban Bigliardi, Rocco Posca, Esteban Kukuriczka, Rafael Federman, Manuela Olivera, Agustín Della Corte, Tomas Wolf.
Dir J.A. Bayona, Pro Belén Atienza, Sandra Hermida and J.A. Bayona, Screenplay J.A. Bayona, Bernat Vilaplana, Jaime Marques and Nicolás Casariego, from the book La sociedad de la nieve by Pablo Vierci, Ph Pedro Luque, Pro Des Alain Bainée, Ed Jaume Martí and Andrés Gil, Music Michael Giacchino, Costumes Julio Suárez, Sound Oriol Tarragó.
Misión de Audaces Films/El Arriero Films/Netflix-Netflix.
143 mins. Spain/Chile/Uruguay/USA. 2023. UK and US Rel: 4 January 2024. Cert. 15.
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