Society of the Snow – An Emotionally-Packed Survival Story

True survival stories have often found a way to resonate with audiences as the best have a firm grasp of the emotion of the moment, pulling them into the plight of those affected by whatever adversity they are facing and having them invested in their final outcome. Based on the true story of the survivors of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crash and “La Sociedad de la Nieve” by Pablo Vierci Society of the Snow is a survival drama (and the second adaptation of the story following 1993’s Alive) with a strong grasp of the emotion of its source material and scale that can be seen through moments that are both epic and intimate. While there are a lot of characters to handle, the film initiates that emotional connection right away as it hones in on the 45 survivors’ roller coaster journey of survival as they braved the elements of the Argentinian Andes mountains following the crash back in October 13th, 1972 where they stayed and clung to hope that they would be rescued until the 16 remaining survivors were rescued more than 2-months later. Defying all odds, the story garnered international acclaim as much of the attention revolved around what they had to do to survive. Technically impressive, from its beautiful cinematography, sound design, and powerful score, they helped to accentuate that emotional element.

As mentioned, Society of the Snow tells the story of the survivors of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crash, also known as the Miracle of the Andes. In 1972, the players, friends, and family of the Old Christians rugby club chartered a flight from Montevideo, Uruguay, to Santiago, Chile. However, that plane would never make its destination, as a pilot error led it to succumb to the mountainous terrain he attempted to navigate around. A dramatic and devastating crash sequence full of chaos, destruction, and a catastrophic loss of life, the result saw the remaining survivors stranded in a wintery terrain that they were not prepared for. Tending to the injured while trying to survive until what they believed to be an immediate rescue, that rescue would not come. A white plane proved difficult to spot against a snowy backdrop therefore a search would be difficult. Tempted with the possibility of their rescue, the survivors continued to hold onto that hope. But as reality set in, it became clear that in order to survive, they would have to take matters into their own hands.

At the end of the day, these survivors had each other and however they would find a way out of their predicament, it would be together. Watching those old new bonds form, grow, and evolve through their shared adversity over the course of the film was easily the highlight. Focusing on the survivors and their relationships with one another, the human element adds real stakes because of the level of investment it creates. As the days mounted and the conditions worsened, and with their faith already tested, the dwindling number of survivors were faced with a crisis of conscience as their desperation for survival took them to lengths they never believed they would go. Ultimately, the need to take part was inevitable. Surviving the winter, the prospect of warming temperatures presented a better avenue for rescue. If not for the actions of a brave few, the survivors would not be rescued. Once that moment arrives, audiences should be sure to have tissues ready. A moment to finally exhale after months of pain and suffering both physically and emotionally, the resounding wave of emotion as of result of being rescued will wash over most audiences after having spent so much time with them and experienced their pain and suffering.

As mentioned, Society of Snow is also a technical marvel. Beautiful cinematography showcases the size and scope of the Andes mountains, not just to highlight their beauty but to also make them another character in the story. The stranded Uruguayans were merely a needle in the haystack of a vast mountain range. And that mountain range was also an unforgiving one as the work behind the unpredictable weather effects created another hurdle for the survivors and added tension to the story. Paired with stellar sound design, they put audiences directly in the mountains. That level of immersion carried over to moments with the survivors within the remnants of the plane fuselage where they tried to survive though even that was an evolving situation. The final element of the film’s adept ability to harness emotion is its powerful score that could tap into just the right emotion at just the right time.

The performances from its large cast all deliver as their chemistry aided in bringing their dynamic to life. Boasting a plethora of different personalities and coming from different walks of life, it was their shared adversity and will to survive brought them together. They were compelling to watch throughout and the evolution of that grounding dynamic only works because of those performances who bring out their humanity. They weren’t perfect by any means but they were humans forced to make certain choices under the most dire of circumstances.

In the end, Society of Snow is a phenomenal survival story and a technical marvel executed with a steady hand and a firm grasp of emotion.

still courtesy of Netflix

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.