J.A. Bayona's 'Society of the Snow' in cinemas on December 15 ahead of Netflix release

Catalan director latest movie tells story of "the miracle of the Andes"

A moment of the 'Society of the Snow' movie directed by Catalan filmmaker J.A. Bayona for Netflix
A moment of the 'Society of the Snow' movie directed by Catalan filmmaker J.A. Bayona for Netflix / Courtesy of Quim Vives
Catalan News

Catalan News | @catalannews | Barcelona

October 21, 2023 10:19 AM

October 21, 2023 10:19 AM

'Society of the Snow,' the latest film from Catalan director J.A. Bayona, will premiere in cinemas on December 15, as announced on Friday, and will reach Netflix on January 4, next year. 

The film tells the story of what has been called "the miracle of the Andes," where over a dozen passengers on Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 survived for 72 days in the Valle de las Lágrimas valley between Chile and Argentina in October 1972 after their plane crashed. Out of the 45 passengers and crew on the flight, 33 survived initially, and 16 of them were able to make it back home. 

The movie was presented at the 2023 Venice Film Festival, where the director received a 10 minute standing ovation.

A moment of the behind the scenes of the 'Society of the Snow' movie directed by Catalan filmmaker J.A. Bayona based on the Miracle of the Andes
A moment of the behind the scenes of the 'Society of the Snow' movie directed by Catalan filmmaker J.A. Bayona based on the Miracle of the Andes / Quim Vives / Netflix

And is now the candidate to represent Spain at next year's Oscars, however, there are still two more shortlists to be announced before the movie can be nominated. 

Bayona, well known for his previous feature films such as 'The Impossible,' 'A Monster Calls,' and 'The Orphanage,' tells the story of the "desire to survive" against a world that has completely abandoned them, as he told the Catalan News Agency (ACN) ahead of the movie's premiere in Venice. 

Making the movie was no easy task, with filming taking place in the Catalan city of Terrassa, in Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains, and in the Andes. 

Listen to the podcast below, including an interview with Bayona on the red carpet at the 2023 Gaudí Awards.