We review the latest film, Society of The Snow, filmed in Sierra Nevada, and we implore you to watch it without being deeply moved.
If you haven’t yet immersed yourself in the gripping tale of survival in “Society of the Snow,” you’re missing out on one of Netflix’s latest hits. This compelling story is a cinematic adaptation of the real-life experiences of a group of Uruguayan plane crash survivors, as chronicled in Pablo Vierci’s 2008 book, ‘La Sociedad de la Nieve.’ The film has been released in January 2024 and is directed by J.A. Bayona. The movie has already gained considerable acclaim and is being chosen by Spain as its submission for the best international feature category at the 2024 Oscars.
Despite being set in the Andes mountains, the film was shot in part in the Sierra Nevada region of Spain in late 2022. The actual events unfolded in the Valle de las lágrimas (Valley of Tears), and the filmmakers took an unconventional yet breathtaking approach to recreate the story. Much of the film was shot in the majestic Sierra Nevada ski resort in Granada, Spain, transporting viewers to a visually stunning and authentic setting. The exact locations included Pradollano and Valle del Yagues.
On Set in Sierra Nevada
In a bold bid for realism, the production team spared no expense in replicating the rugged terrain of the Andes. They constructed a massive 300ft x 300ft reproduction of the mountain inside a hangar, using scaffold and foam. Positioned at an elevation of 1,000 meters, this was just one of their sets, with others higher up too. The commitment to authenticity is palpable, taking the audience on an immersive journey through the very type of landscape where the survivors faced the ultimate test of endurance.
Society of The Snow- a Moving Tale
We challenge you to watch the full story without being deeply moved, not only by the emotive story but by the in-depth look at human nature. The film gets up close and personal, showcasing how the group mentality helped the survivors spur each other on, never giving up hope, and how the survival instinct kicked in, over and over again. The group had to face extremely horrific decisions such as whether to eat the bodies of the dead, in order to save themselves. One scene in the film is particularly moving, as Numa one of the survivors simply states, as the realisation dawns on him of the enormity of the situation, “The more we try to get out, the more the mountain resists.”
“Society of the Snow” stands as a testament to the power of storytelling by the director, who cut no corners, interviewing the survivors and their friends in great detail. The actors too lost weight for the part and immersed themselves in the roles.
Our verdict: This is a must- see for winter viewing that will move you to your core and make you question yourself- are you a survivor?
With love,
The Swish team xx
