Society of the Snow

Society of the Snow is a 2023 Spanish-language survival drama film directed by J.

Society of the Snow is a 2023 Spanish-language survival drama film directed by J. A. Bayona. Based on Pablo Vierci’s book, it dramatizes the 1972 Andes flight disaster, in which survivors of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 endured 72 days stranded in the mountains before rescue. The film was released in 2023 and later streamed on Netflix.

Plot and historical basis

The film dramatizes the crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 on 13 October 1972, when a Uruguayan rugby team and supporters were travelling to Santiago, Chile. The crash left survivors trapped in the Andes, where they faced extreme cold, starvation, and a prolonged wait for rescue.

Cast and production

Society of the Snow uses a largely South American cast, with many performers being newcomers. It was directed by J. A. Bayona and filmed mainly in Sierra Nevada, Spain.

Release and distribution

The film premiered in 2023 and later streamed on Netflix. Netflix describes it as the story of survivors who join forces while navigating their way back home.

Reception

Reviews describe the film as a harrowing and humane retelling of a famous survival story. Critics note its depiction of the survivors’ ordeal, including the moral and physical extremes they faced in the Andes.