‘Society of the Snow’: A Tale of Survival

Survival tales have long been a fascination for filmmakers and the infamous 'Miracle in the Andes' provides a compelling narrative that presents unique challenges for any movie. Even after half a century, the dramatic turn of events is well-known to most viewers from the outset.

On 13th October 1972, a Uruguayan plane destined for Santiago, Chile, crashed in the Andes with 45 people on board, including the Old Christians rugby team. A rescue operation 10 weeks later revealed that 16 individuals had managed to survive.

Their story is one of resourcefulness, endurance, faith and the infamous decision, in a harsh snowy environment devoid of sustenance, to resort to anthropophagy, a term survivor Roberto Canessa prefers over the loaded connotations of "cannibalism."

J.A. Bayona's Spanish-language film, 'Society of the Snow,' captures the harrowing events with a realism absent in the 1993 film 'Alive.' The latter, featuring a predominantly American cast, lacks the immediacy provided by the documentary 'Stranded: I've Come From a Plane That Crashed on the Mountains' (2008), which showcases the actual survivors.

For a seasoned director like Bayona, depicting the plane crash is the straightforward part. However, the film's foreshadowing is relentless and redundant, with hints of impending doom scattered throughout. The visceral depiction of the plane accident is intense, with snow, debris, and wind engulfing the fuselage. Yet, the challenge lies in portraying the extended period of survival, as cinema struggles to convey the enormity of the experience, especially when measured in days and weeks.

The film also treads carefully on the graphic portrayal of the survivors' decision to consume human flesh. Despite glimpses of rib cages picked to the bone, 'Society of the Snow' maintains a degree of restraint. The decision to depict the butchering discreetly, away from the sight of others, adds a layer of complexity. The film navigates the sensitive terrain of cannibalism with tact, avoiding gratuitous visuals.

The narrative remains inherently gripping, with moments that are difficult to resist, such as the first encounter of survivors with another person after days of climbing towards civilization. However, watching 'Society of the Snow' on Netflix, comfortably at home with a refrigerator nearby, adds an ironic twist to the viewing experience.

The film prompts contemplation on the contrast between the audience's setting and the harsh reality faced by the survivors, creating a unique perspective on this chilling tale of resilience and desperation.