LOS ANGELES, California — The harrowing tale of a 1972 plane crash survivor, Gustavo Zerbino, is being brought to life in J.A. Bayona’s new film, “Society of the Snow,” now available on Netflix in the U.S. The movie is based on the story of the Uruguayan Air Force plane disaster that left Zerbino and his teammates stranded in the snow-covered Andes mountains for approximately 70 days. Reflecting on the experience, Zerbino described watching the film as feeling like he was being submerged “into boiling water,” reliving the anxieties and emotions of being a young athlete stranded in the mountains over 50 years ago.
J.A. Bayona, the director of “Society of the Snow,” wanted to honor the event’s survivors and victims, as well as their Uruguayan culture. He weaved in Candombe Uruguayan music and included other cultural elements to bring authenticity to the story. The film also sheds light on the extreme measures the survivors had to resort to in order to endure, including their decision to consume the flesh of those who had died.
The film’s nuanced approach to the tragedy has resonated with both survivors and the loved ones of the victims. In a poignant tribute, the movie is narrated by Numa Turcatti, played by Enzo Vogrincic, who died shortly before the rescue. Maestro Pablo Vierci, who produced the book on which the film is based, emphasized the importance of telling the story from the perspective of the dead, portraying a society where compassion and mercy prevailed in the face of adversity.
For Zerbino, who made a commitment to preserving the legacies of his late teammates, watching the film with other survivors and victims’ family members was an emotional and powerful experience. He highlighted the film as a means for many relatives to engage with the event for the first time, providing a source of reconciliation and understanding.
Bayona’s evocative and empathetic retelling of this tragic event has earned “Society of the Snow” a place on the shortlist for best international feature film at the 2024 Academy Awards. The film’s dedication to honoring the survivors’ mission to tell the story of those who sacrificed themselves to keep their friends alive lingers as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.