Society of the snow review: A plane from Uruguay, carrying forty-five people, including members of the Old Christians rugby team, crashed in the Andes on October 13, 1972, en route to Santiago, Chile.
In 1992, Frank Marshall’s film Alive gave the Andes plane disaster narrative a Hollywood makeover. In the film, a rugby team from Uruguay crashes into the Andes mountains and survives for 72 days until two of its members, Nando and Roberto, go to Chile and find help. While the film roughly matched the events described in the terrifying book Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors by Piers Paul Read, it lacked the emotional resonance to convey the tale effectively. The issue with Alive is that it views the tragedy via the Hollywoodized prism of the adventure genre. Its main goal is to present a victorious tale in which the survivors prove to be heroes.
The plot
Society of the snow on Netflix is a shocking tale of 16 people who got their lives back after 72 days. The movie illustrates their capacity for survival and growth through a mix of willpower, bravery, faith, and—most importantly—the decision to consume the corpses in the middle of snow-covered mountains when there was no other food. “Anthropophagy” is a better term than “cannibalism,” which could mean killing for food, according to Roberto Canessa, a survivor who told National Geographic that he went on to become a famous pediatric cardiologist and an unlikely candidate for Uruguay’s presidency in 1994.
The Tale of the Andes Survivors, which spread the notion that their cannibalism had evolved into a sort of intriguing religious Eucharist in which people ate the flesh and blood of one another in order to fend off death—all in a profound spirit of love and camaraderie.
A miracle
It seemed unlikely that anyone survived at all, as chairs and people crash into one another like dominoes in a depiction of the catastrophe that has an unyielding, bone-crunching strength. The survivors then survive another potentially fatal avalanche that occurs after they have established some sort of daily rhythm in their waiting game.
The catastrophe, which some refer to as a miracle, was previously depicted in the Hollywood film Alive (1993), in which Ethan Hawke starred as survivor Nando Parrado. Bayona made a wise decision in Society of the Snow by selecting actors who fit cultural norms for the film’s numerous speaking parts. This gave the film an instant air of realism and helped to sell the human drama hidden beneath the stunning visuals. He’s working with a whole new group of technicians in addition to the inexperienced rookies; this is his first time working with Pedro Luque, the film’s cinematographer, who is arguably its biggest star.
Just the reality alone is horrific. Since the plane was effectively cut in half by a mountain, the majority of the occupants perished instantly. The search was stopped after many days.
Cannibalism is the last option
Cannibalism was the last recourse of the starving survivors. At one point, an avalanche covered them completely. Eventually, the two young rugby players on board proceeded west, hoping to reach Chile, as the frost started to thaw. They were unprepared and had never climbed before. Despite all the obstacles, the two managed to reach civilization and successfully directed rescue helicopters towards the downed aircraft. Lifted out alive were sixteen people. The story made headlines around the world. The reportage quickly took on a sensationalistic and possibly lurid tone due to the cannibalism element. Because they had broken the taboo, many of the survivors felt ashamed.
The film depicts the essential nature of survival by delving into the psychological effects of starvation, solitude, and the moral choices faced by individuals who seek safety in the harsh Andes. The film paints a powerful picture of the human condition, emphasising the depths of hopelessness and the perseverance required to overcome apparently insurmountable challenges.
The story takes place in the heartbreaking yet beautiful Andean wilderness, with every picture emphasizing the sharp contrast between the harshness of the survivors’ struggle and the stunning scenery. The cinematography immerses the viewer in the vastness of the environment, intensifying the emotional impact of the survivors’ journey.
Society of the Snow is a moving examination of the unwavering determination to live rather than just a history lesson. The movie honors the genuine people who overcame hardship with bravery, ingenuity, and the undying will to live another day. The film becomes an enduring example of the human spirit’s resilience in the face of nature’s most formidable challenges.
Society of the Snow: Is it worth watching?
“The film Society of the Snow is fantastic, despite many issues. Some narrative decisions make some moments less powerful. However, these are minor complaints amid an amazing encounter. It’s compelling and could give you anxiety, but it’s still a fantastic film to watch.
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