Society of the Snow

 

   In 1972, a Uruguayan rugby team were on their way to a match in Chile. Their plane crashed in the Andes mountains. A book was written about the crash called Alive and then a film followed in 1992. It was filmed with an American cast and the most controversial thing about the book and the film was that the survivors of the crash resorted to eating the flesh of the dead to survive.

    This new film, while not a remake, does tell the same story with a cast of Uruguayan and Argentinian actors that lend authenticity to the story and is absolutely harrowing in its tale of survival. The crash itself is horrific in detail and the makeup, weather conditions and acting all combine to add a dimension of realism that couldn't be done in 1992. The cinematography is outstanding and if this was not a thrilling tale of survival, one could really appreciate the beauty of the natural surroundings.

    Director and co-screenwriter, J.A.Bayona does a remarkable job filming, not only in the Andes but at the actual crash site, adding another layer of realism to the film. The story doesn't shy away from the survivors making the incredibly difficult decision to eat the flesh of the dead, but it is presented with care and reverence without resorting to sensationalism. 

     Truely an amazing story of human resilience and endurance that should not be missed. It is currently on Netflix.