Spain has produced some incredible films and TV shows. We’d say the TV shows are better, but the films are still good. If you haven’t watched Money Heist, go and watch it now.
Still, like we say, the films are good, and it’s Spain’s Oscar-nominated Society of the Snow that had everyone talking. Enough so that it was nominated for an Oscar. It even got a place on several odds websites not only in Spain but worldwide.
Compared to other countries like the US and the UK, Spain isn’t usually an Oscar contender, and neither are its actors. That’s not to say they aren’t good. It’s just that they don’t recognize Spanish films and actors. Javier Bardem is the only Spanish actor to ever win an Oscar.
Anyway, Society of the Snow broke the mold.
And this isn’t to say there’s more to break! Foreign films aren’t precluded from other predominantly Anglo categories like Best Picture. Germany’s The Zone of Interest is a leading candidate not only for the Best International Feature Film category but for Best Picture too.
The film is involved in a tight race, though. Betting odds provide a helpful frame for this: looking at Oppenheimer, Poor Things, and The Zone of Interest are all vying for the top award.
While Society of the Snow presented Spain with an interesting award season push this year, it should inspire next year’s efforts to go one step further and aim for Best Picture.
Below, we’ll explore what made Society of the Snow film look good and why you should watch it.
Survival Against the Odds
Who doesn’t love a drama? And this was definitely a drama. What makes it even better is the real-life value – this happened to the Uruguayan rugby team’s 1972 plane. The result of the crash was disaster, endurance, death, and cannibalism – and that’s exactly what the film shows.
Set against the unforgiving backdrop of the Andes, ‘Society of the Snow’ narrates the tale of the passengers of a Uruguayan flight. The survivors, faced with the unforgiving climate and lack of sustenance, were pushed to the brink. The film’s portrayal is not merely about survival; it’s a tribute to the human will to persevere against all odds.
In the end, only 16 people survived. Or is that a spoiler, sorry!
Bayona’s Passionate Vision and Craft
J.A. Bayona’s dedication to bringing authenticity to the screen is palpable in every frame of ‘Society of the Snow.’ It’s truly an incredible watch that has you on the edge of your seat.
The director’s commitment to shooting on the actual crash site at an altitude of 12,000 feet speaks volumes about his pursuit of cinematic truthfulness. And it puts you in the heart of it all, making you feel more connected.
This decade-long passion project of Bayona, interspersed between his work on notable films and TV shows, is an incredible feat of cinema.
The Heart of the Film is Its Characters
At its core, ‘Society of the Snow’ is a narrative woven around its characters – each portrayed with respect, depth, and an earnest reverence for real-life people. The survivors guided Bayona to help portray the situation as it was.
The film navigates through their shared ordeal with a sobering and earnest approach. You can feel each moment of happiness, struggle, and loss feel intimately personal to the viewer.
But it’s the use of flashbacks that gets you in the feels.
A Delicate Balance of Emotions
The reality the film portrays is stark and harrowing. Bayona masterfully injects moments of levity and maintains a thread of hope throughout the narrative. And that’s exactly what the survivors would have had.
The film’s tonal balance is a testament to the director’s skill. It’s tricky to navigate the complexities of human emotions – but the actors he picked made it all happen. Props to Enzo Vogrincic, Numa Turcatti, and Agustín Pardella – they were incredible.
A Testament to Technical Excellence
‘Society of the Snow’ is not just a narrative marvel. It’s a masterpiece of technical craftsmanship. The film’s portrayal of the Andes, achieved through the collaborative brilliance of cinematographer Pedro Luque and other key members of the technical team, brings to life the chilling beauty and the inherent peril of the mountain range.
Every technical aspect of the film, from the hauntingly realistic makeup to the meticulous production design, contributes to an immersive experience that transcends the screen and resonates deep within the viewer.
Will you give it a watch? Society of the Snow didn’t become an Oscar nominee by chance – that alone should tell you it’s worth a watch. It’s still on Netflix now.
