What Bayona achieves in cinema with The Snow Society is striking. He fixes his gaze on every tiny detail, pushing the storytelling to a gripping, almost terrifying edge. If the tale of the survivors already reads magnificent, the on‑set experience the actors endured is equally remarkable. Everything had to feel authentic, so the cast shared in a demanding trial that extended far beyond the script. The Sierra Nevada shoot exposed harsh cold, so much so that thermal shirts were abandoned to preserve a sense of real danger, while the crew watched weights and health each Monday, tracking whether anyone was slipping or weakening under the conditions.
The ophthalmologist involved speaks with admiration for the precision. Susana Campos recalls the pride of contributing to Bayona’s new cinematic achievement, a project gaining two Oscar nominations and captivating audiences globally since its early release. The Snow Society recounts the famous 1972 Andes plane crash and the astonishing endurance of 16 teammates who survived 72 days under extreme conditions. The film has been a powerful reminder of human resilience, framed through a historical event that continues to resonate with viewers around the world [Cited materials].
Campos, a Lens native now living in Oviedo, feels the luck of being part of something so expansive. Her role as part of the supporting cast is described as a symbolic gesture, akin to fitting the right lenses on Argentinian players Agustín Pardellas –Nando Parrado in the film–, Alfonsina Carrocio –Susy Parrado– and Esteban Bigliardi –Javier Methol–. Special scleral contact lenses, larger than standard, allowed the actors to convincingly portray the paralysis Parrado suffered after the crash and to simulate the eye burns and the glare of the sun on the snow, helping shape the veiled, exhausted gazes of the dying [Cited production notes].
Campos owns an optician’s shop and entered cinema thanks to a friend’s invitation. Adrián Castaneda, who runs a fashion store nearby and frequently collaborates with film productions, suggested she could be needed for a Asturias shoot. That first collaboration came with The Secret of Marrowbone (2017), followed by a role in the TV series Alma, shot in the same region under Bayona’s direction [Cited career notes].
Months later, Campos was asked to return. The assignment proved tricky because a Granada shoot involved two opticians and two children, making scheduling tight. After a persistent push, she was told the need was urgent. A week in Granada, working in a warehouse built for filming at the Sierra Nevada studio, followed. Even with proper clothing, the cold lingered, but the opportunity to witness Bayona’s craft and the extensive special effects made it worthwhile. He presented ears and legs, contours of survival, and an extraordinary amount of character work that demanded intense focus from everyone involved. The experience even fostered a strong friendship with Agustín Pardellas, described as a top-tier person by those who knew him [Cited interviews].
Days later, more time in Madrid at the Netflix studios was required as Bayona refined scenes and re-shot portions of the accident. The schedule stretched into long, relentless hours, yet Campos believes the effort paid off. Watching the edited film with her husband in a Gijón cinema, she found it “brutal” and admits she cried through a good stretch. The moment her name appeared in the credits brought a mix of pride and astonishment. Since then, public reaction to The Snow Society has been uplifting for Campos and her family, with excitement spreading across generations and across the country. The experience remains a source of joy and a vivid reminder of the film’s impact [Cited premiere notes].