Interview with ‘Society of the Snow’ Protagonists: ‘We Became Brothers’

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After an initial run in theaters, Netflix added to its catalog «Society of the Snow,» Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona’s new film. A feature that, like «The Impossible» and «A Monster Calls,» aims to surprise viewers with the highest standards of quality that always characterize his productions and one of those stories that clearly aims to stir emotions, now also from the comfort of your home.

Starring Enzo Vogrincic, Matías Recalt, Agustín Pardella, and Esteban Bigliardi, «Society of the Snow» takes inspiration from real events. And it’s not just any story but that of the rugby team traveling to Chile by plane that crashed in the heart of the Andes. One of those stories that leaves a lasting mark. «After filming, when I returned to Buenos Aires, I realized that I was still quite immersed in that tragedy. It was difficult for me to detach,» says Matías Recalt in LOS40, to which Enzo Vogrincic adds, «The difficulty of ‘Society of the Snow’ turned in our favor because the whole story is very tough. That’s why, if you felt bad or sleepy, it worked. Everything contributed to that strange state in which the characters found themselves.»

Comrades & Almost Brothers

It is not easy to shoot a film like «Society of the Snow.» Not only because of the technical aspects but also due to the emotional state left after filming such complex sequences with such a great dramatic load. However, its protagonists did what they call an alliance to endure the long shooting and the harshness of the story they wanted to tell the world.

«Good ego prevailed, and we became trench brothers. When everyone is going through a tough time, it is inevitable that a natural alliance is formed,» says Agustín Pardella in this interview. Matías, on the other hand, recalls especially the moments they lived off-camera: «We had fun despite the tragedy. We laughed a lot among ourselves, which was important to make this film.»

The Survivors’ Opinion

The contact between the artistic team of «Society of the Snow» and the survivors of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 has been crucial to understanding the feelings and magnitude of the tragedy they experienced. And most importantly, Bayona and these actors have managed to make them feel represented in the story that the film narrates. «Everyone agrees that when you watch it as a spectator and detached from the story, you can get a little closer to what they felt. There were some who would arrive at night and mix the images of what they had experienced with the images from the movie,» explains Agustín.

The Reception of the Film and Tom Holland

«Society of the Snow» has been selected as one of the 15 finalists vying for the nomination for Best International Film at the Oscars and has also been placed among the finalists in the categories of Best Original Music, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Visual Effects. It was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film.

It is clear that this film will be talked about a lot in the coming months. It has even caught the attention of Tom Holland. The actor, one of Hollywood’s promising talents with great potential in the film industry, became interested in «Society of the Snow» from the project’s inception and, when the time came, wanted to meet its protagonists. «He appeared at a screening we did in Los Angeles, and we met him. He’s lovely, divine,» recalls Enzo. «It’s crazy that someone you see in movies is one day chatting and eating with you.»

Regarding the list of accolades, the Uruguayan actor acknowledges that even on the set of «Society of the Snow,» he felt they were doing something that would leave a mark. «Already while shooting, it was clear that it was a special film,» he says. «You watch a Bayona film and suddenly you’re shooting with him. You can understand a bit what it’s going to be like. And in this case, the story is powerful. The reality is so vivid that we felt it was a special project.

If you want to watch the complete interview with the protagonists of «Society of the Snow» on LOS40… hit play!

This is ‘Society of the Snow’

In 1972, Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, chartered to transport a rugby team to Chile, crashed in the heart of the Andes. Only 29 of its 45 passengers survived the accident. Trapped in one of the most hostile and inaccessible environments on the planet, they must resort to extreme measures to stay alive.

«Society of the Snow» is now available on Netflix.

Original article by Javier Rodrigo on Los40.com