Gustavo Zerbino, a seventy-year-old Uruguayan pharmaceutical businessman and survivor of the Andean tragedy, is quoted with stark certainty about fear and survival. He recalls a day when a life-saving choice was made after a catastrophic crash. On October 13, 1972, a plane carrying members of the Old Christians rugby club, along with friends and family, collided with a glacier high in the Andes. Of the 45 people aboard, 12 perished immediately, and a second wave of tragedy followed as the remaining passengers faced weeks stranded far above sea level. When rescue finally arrived, 72 days after the crash, only 16 people remained alive.
JA Bayona has brought to the screen the emotional and physical toll endured by those left behind in The Snow Society. The film follows a group forced to endure extreme cold, extreme altitude, and the constant threat of avalanches while awaiting help. The survivors endured ten weeks at an altitude of around 4,000 meters, with temperatures dropping far below freezing. Their endurance stemmed from the stubborn will to live, ingenuity, and the stark reality of using every possible resource. Zerbino maintains a straightforward stance: there was no room for regret. They had to move to stay alive, and energy came from whatever could be found. In those early days the wreckage offered shelter, and the group drew strength from prayers, creative problem-solving, and the scarce sustenance that could be obtained from the deceased and from the bodies of friends, sometimes even from relatives.
The necessity to resort to cannibalism emerged within the first weeks after radio updates indicated that search efforts had been suspended. Reflecting on the pain endured by their families in Uruguay reinforced the survivors’ resolve. The pharmacist recalls the ethical weight of those decisions and the impact on loved ones, yet insists the choice was a matter of life and death and of keeping the group alive while they could.
The Snow Society is adapted from Pablo Vierci’s book of the same name and joins earlier cinematic treatments, including a 1976 Mexican film and the 1993 Hollywood production, both portraying the same event. Bayona, noted as Spain’s contender in the Oscar race and recently acknowledged with a Golden Globe nomination, is said to have captured the atmosphere of unity that formed on the mountains. The survivors created a supportive community where rules emerged as needed, avoided complaining, and chose to celebrate each day. One survivor recalls breaking away from a mind focused on failure and realizing that endurance could become growth. In his words, he sent a companion for a walk.
tell the truth
The 72 days left a lasting imprint on how the survivors viewed life and death. They describe a heightened capacity for pain, patience, and love that endured beyond measure. Facing death at a young age and watching close friends perish hardened their resilience, yet also deepened their empathy for others.
After years of public speaking on leadership and overcoming challenges, Zerbino explains that the mindset formed early on still guides him. He emphasizes shifting from problem-focused thinking to solutions, and from fear of failure to embracing growth, even amid traumatic memories. He notes that a life of travel and public appearances keeps him grounded in the present. He recalls a flight through a violent storm where a simple act—listening to music with headphones—helped him stay calm amid chaos.
The Snow Society is part of a trio of cinematic works recounting the Andes incident, alongside historical films from 1976 and 1993. The portrayal aims to reflect the sense of unity and mutual care that defined the experience on the mountain. The survivors learned to depend on one another in ways that transcended cultural norms and religious taboos, choosing life and the dignity of shared humanity under extreme pressure.
next life
The event left a profound mark on the survivors’ attitudes toward life and death. It heightened their capacity for endurance, patience, and compassion, and it tempered the way they approach danger and loss. The experience reshaped their outlook on what it means to persevere and to value each moment.
Zerbino has spent years traveling the world, sharing lessons on leadership and resilience. He argues that early training tends to emphasize problems rather than solutions, and that fear of failure should be confronted and transformed into growth opportunities. He notes that even the bleakest experiences can become tools for learning. The Andes incident remains a defining moment, but not the sole chapter; it is a part of a larger life story. He also emphasizes that air travel, once feared, has become a routine and safe means of moving around the world. He recalls a stormy European-to-Uruguay journey where a passenger panic spread, and how he found steadiness by retreating into music and calm.