Society of the Snow is a Spanish-language survival thriller film that follows 16 survivors who crash into a glacier. They are stranded in the Andean mountains, far away from human settlements and help. During their time in the mountains, the group makes some extreme decisions to survive, and viewers are curious to know if any of them are based on real events and facts. So, is the J.A. Bayona directorial Society of the Snow based on a true story?
Is Society of the Snow based on a true story?
Yes, Society of the Snow is indeed based on a true story that centers around the real-life Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 disaster that occurred in 1972. The filmmakers drew inspiration from the accounts documented in Pablo Verci’s eponymous book, which narrates the experience of the 16 survivors. The film surprisingly takes a unique approach compared to other narratives about plane crashes, as it focuses on the positive aspects of human nature during dire circumstances. So, instead of portraying a descent into darkness and internal conflicts among survivors, the film portrays the admirable qualities of people.
Society of the Snow’s real events and facts explained
The flight carried around 45 people, including the Old Christians Club rugby team. The initial crash claimed 12 lives, and after that, other deaths occurred from injuries and harsh conditions. Rescue planes were sent to find the survivors but they couldn’t be located, and the search was eventually called off, which forced them into prolonged survival.
The group faced extreme conditions and even resorted to cannibalism for sustenance. Three of them also embarked on a dangerous journey on foot to seek help. Eventually, they were able to find a man on horseback, who alerted the authorities and rescued the remaining survivors.
The real people behind Society of the Snow’s characters
Society of the Snow is based on real events, therefore, the characters in the movie are also inspired by real people. They are based on the real-life individuals who survived extreme conditions and demonstrated remarkable resilience during the 72 days that they spent stranded in the Andes Mountains.
Is Robert Canessa a real person?
Yes, Roberto Canessa is a real person, who was a 19-year-old medical student at the time of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crash in 1972. His expertise in medical science was crucial to their survival, and he became an integral part of their story. After the incident, Robert became a renowned pediatric cardiologist.
Is Nando Parrado a real person?
Nando Parrado is also a real-life individual and one of the survivors of the 1972 crash. Moreover, he was amongst the three people who decided to search for help. If it wasn’t for Parrado’s brave decision to go on foot to look for assistance, there is a possibility that the survivors couldn’t have made it.
