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Society of the Snow (2023) | Transcript

On October 13, 1972, Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, chartered to take a rugby team to Chile, crashes into a glacier in the heart of the Andes...
Society of the Snow (2023)

Society of the Snow (Spanish: La sociedad de la nieve)

Director: J.A. Bayona
Writers: J.A. Bayona, Bernat Vilaplana, Jaime Marques
Based on: La sociedad de la nieve, by Pablo Vierci
Stars: Enzo Vogrincic, Agustín Pardella, Matías Recalt
Language: Spanish
Running time: 144 minutes
Parental Advisory: Society of the Snow is rated R for violent/disturbing material and brief graphic nudity.

Plot: The film depicts the true story of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, which crashed in the Andes Mountains in 1972. 45 people were on board, including members of a young rugby team called the Old Christians. The crash is depicted in a harrowing opening sequence, with the plane disintegrating on impact and survivors scattered across the snowy, desolate landscape.

In the immediate aftermath, the survivors face the harsh realities of their situation: limited supplies, brutal cold, and injuries. Despair and grief threaten to consume them, but a few key figures emerge as leaders, providing hope and direction. Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa, two members of the rugby team, take on the daunting task of trying to reach Chile for help. They know it’s a long and dangerous journey, but it’s their only chance.

Meanwhile, back at the wreckage, the remaining survivors grapple with dwindling resources and the ethical dilemma of cannibalism. Faced with starvation, they make the agonizing decision to consume the flesh of the deceased to stay alive. This decision haunts them both physically and emotionally, further testing their resilience and humanity.

Days turn into weeks, and the survivors form a fragile society in the snow. They ration food, tend to the injured, and hold onto hope. The film delves into the complex dynamics of this makeshift community, exploring themes of leadership, faith, and the will to survive.

Nando and Roberto’s journey is fraught with danger. They face treacherous terrain, freezing temperatures, and even avalanches. Their determination and resourcefulness are put to the ultimate test, and their success hinges on a combination of luck and skill.

Eventually, after 72 days, Nando and Roberto reach Chile and lead a rescue mission back to the crash site. Only 16 of the original 45 passengers survive the ordeal, forever marked by the physical and emotional scars of their experience.

Society of the Snow is a powerful and moving film that chronicles a remarkable story of human survival.

* * *

* * *

[icy wind blowing]

[wind picks up]

[water flowing]

[young man] On October 13, 1972, an Uruguayan plane crashed in the Andean Mountain Range.

Forty of us passengers and five crew members were on board the plane.

Some say it was a tragedy.

Others call it a miracle.

[birds calling in distance]

[young man] What really happened?

What happens when the world abandons you?

When you have no clothes… and you’re freezing?

When you have no food, and you’re dying?

[silence falls]

[young man] The answer’s in the mountain.

We have to go back to the past to understand that the past is what changes the most.

[distant, echoing cheers]

[players grunting]

MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY OCTOBER 1972

[captain] Let’s go! Get in there!

C’mon, Olds! Yeah! Come on! We got this!

That ball’s ours! Push!

[players straining]

[crowd applauding]

[woman] Go, Christians!

[crowd cheering]

[man] C’mon, Christians! Push!

[player] Get in there! Let’s go! Let’s go!

[captain] Get it! Come on!

Go, Roberto!

[crowd cheering]

Pass it to Nando!

Roberto, pass it!

[captain] To Nando!

[Nando] Come on!

Pass it! Roberto, pass it!

Pass it!

[slams locker]

[players chatting]

[showers running]

[Nando] Pass it.

[groans]

There were four players ahead of you. I couldn’t pass.

You could have, but you thought too much.

You gotta think less and do more.

You couldn’t have done better.

Couldn’t have done worse.

I messed up once! We won the last cup because of me.

[Nando] Because of you?

[players jeering and clamoring]

All right, all right! Knock it off!

Hey. What’s so funny, huh? Today’s score?

[team murmuring]

Roberto, you trust me, right?

So, when I say, “Pass it,” you pass it. Okay?

And when I say the trip money is due today, I expect it today!

Okay? We have half a plane to fill. Dan, is your cousin coming?

Yeah. It’ll be the four of us.

Our money.

[captain] No envelope? Great, Coco.

No.

[captain] Anybody else, then?

Gastón, are your friends in?

Yeah. I convinced them.

You’re sure?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, except one.

[priest] “‘You are my beloved Son, ‘ He said.”

“And at once, the Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert.”

“And He remained in the desert for 40 days and nights, being tempted by Satan at all times.”

“‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread, ‘ the tempter said.”

“But Jesus answered, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone…'”

Psst!

[quietly] Pancho.

Pancho!

[priest]…and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body…”

[softly] Pancho, for Numa. Numa.

[congregation] We proclaim your death, O Lord, and profess your resurrection until you come again, Jesus.

Come on, Alfredo.

[church organ playing]

[whispering] Hey! You!

Come here. Come here. Come here.

Hand this paper to Pancho. Right there.

[Alfredo] Thanks.

[Pancho, quietly] Psst, Numa.

Excuse me. Can you hand this to him?

Gastón.

COME TO CHILE, MAN!

[chanting] Workers and students, hand in hand, we stand!

Workers and students, hand in hand, we stand!

No, it’s the final Commercial Law test.

I can’t go.

No! It’s gonna get postponed anyway.

For two weeks. Just look outside!

[Numa] It’s not about the test.

I don’t care about rugby.

[Gastón] Rugby? Rugby’s the least of it!

Santiago de Chile, $45. You’ll never find a cheaper ticket.

[both] Never!

In your life!

Do you know what this is?

This little list here has all the numbers of the girls we’ve met there.

[Gastón exclaims]

Graciela…

Flamboyant.

Silvia…

Fine.

Beatriz…

A lioness. [chuckles]

Nélida…

No, not her.

What? Nélida’s amazing. Knock it off.

Nélida messed you up, left you crying all around Montevideo.

Whoa! What is wrong with you?

No, no… [chuckles]

You keep this thing. Don’t let Gastón touch it.

Okay? Let’s go grab another drink. Come on.

[Alfredo] Stop. What is wrong with you?

[Gastón] You gotta relax.

Don’t let me travel with these two morons. Please. I beg of you.

[chuckles] You’re not gonna convince me, Pancho.

Want a good argument to talk you into it?

Do it.

I really want you to go.

‘Cause you graduate in a couple of months, and you’ll start working nonstop.

You’ll be the best lawyer in all of Montevideo, and we’ll be proud of you.

But we’re gonna have different lives.

This may actually be the last trip we take together, you know?

[chuckles softly] You trying to make me cry, man?

[demonstrators] Workers and students, hand in hand, we stand!

[chanting fades]

[dog 1 barking in distance]

[bell dings]

[Numa] Good evening.

[sighs]

[dog 2 whimpers, barks]

[whistles]

[playfully] Who’s a good boy? How’s it goin’, buddy?

[fire crackling]

[clock ticking]

[dog barking in house]

[indistinct chatter outside]

Champ.

[Champ whimpers]

[Numa] What do you think?

Should we go?

[“Break It All” by Los Shakers playing]

♪ We want you to come We want you to hear ♪

♪ We want you to dance Dance all night long ♪

[backup alert beeping]

♪ But when the music starts… ♪

[radio DJ] It’s eight o’clock this Thursday morning in Montevideo.

[brakes screech]

[man] Jackass!

[guys laugh]

This is Berch Rupenian from Impactos on Independencia Radio.

We’re here, kicking off this four-day long weekend with a forecast of sunshine and nice weather to make your weekend even better.

♪ Now, we know you’re fine… ♪

Oh, Panchito.

♪ Oh yeah ♪

♪ And break it all ♪

♪ You listen to me, break it all ♪

♪ We want you to come We want you to hear ♪

Have a good one.

♪ We want you to dance… ♪

[indistinct announcement on PA]

Honey, can you help me find the boys, please?

[Gastón] Numa!

[group laughs]

Hey.

[Gastón grunts]

Let’s do it.

[captain] Canessa! Roberto Canessa!

Alexis. Alexis Hounié!

Enrique Platero.

Felipe Maquirriain.

Francisco Abal. Pancho.

[man] Bye.

[boy] Goodbye.

Okay. Let’s go.

[girl 1] Bye-bye.

Bye.

Mwah!

Be good.

[girl 2] Okay.

[woman 1] Okay?

Kiss Mommy.

See you! Bye-bye. I love you.

Love you, Mom. We’ll miss you.

[song fades]

One. Two.

[woman 1] Javier, smile.

[girl] Three.

[camera shutter clicks]

[gentle music playing]

[girl] Done.

[man 1] Let’s go!

[group cheering]

Bravo!

[applause]

Did you hear it click?

Yeah, I got it.

Perfect.

[excited chatter]

[man 2] Dude!

[Numa] My name is Numa Turcatti.

I’m 24 years old.

It’s great that all these guys get to go.

[Numa] I look around, and I barely know anyone here… but at the same time, it all feels familiar.

[laughter]

[Numa] Most of them are young, like me.

Lovingly raised in houses near the sea.

[guys] Hey!

[indistinct chatter]

[Numa] For some of them, it’s their first trip away from home.

[engines humming]

[passengers laughing]

Sit down! Carlitos, stop! Just sit down!

Come on!

[enthusiastic chatter]

[man 1] Yeah, you’re very talented. Sit down.

Could be anything.

[guys shouting]

[gentle instrumental music continues]

Coco, look at the camera.

[camera shutter clicks]

[man 2] Looks good.

[indistinct chatter]

[man 3] Hey! Hey, Diego! Come on!

[guys chatting and laughing]

Hey. That’s a pretty nice hand, man.

[Carlitos] Dude, your cousin…

[plane rattles]

Opa! We just got bitten by the shark.

[Gastón] The mountain range, huh?

Is it true these mountains try to suck up anyone who passes over them?

Yeah. It’s true.

[Gastón laughs]

The warm winds from the plains of Argentina collide with the cold winds of the mountains and create a suction effect.

Nah. You’re joking. [chuckles]

[mechanic] I’m not joking. That’s why there’s turbulence.

But, you know, we’re one step ahead.

Check it out.

This is the mountain range.

And now, we have to go from here.

But the route isn’t a straight line.

Look. You can’t cross it just like that. The range is massive.

That’s why we have to travel south, looking for a lower passage through it.

We cross it, and once in Chile, we just turn north in Curicó.

And in ten minutes, we’ll be landing in Santiago.

[wind gusting]

[plane creaks]

[pilot] Attention, passengers. Please fasten your seat belts.

In a few minutes, we’ll be in Santiago.

Go and deal the cards, okay?

[guys singing]

[man 4] Arturo!

[group laughs]

[clapping]

[excited chatter]

[engines whirring]

[wind buffeting plane’s wings]

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain, General Carlos Páez.

Everybody, please fasten your seat belts.

Bodies are not allowed to be scattered in the Andes.

[guys laugh]

Please recommend Casapueblo Airlines for the forthcoming flights!

[mechanic] Sit down! Sit down!

[guys laugh]

[mechanic] Stay there.

[man 5] Bravo!

[chanting] Carlitos! Carlitos!

Stop. Fasten your seat belt, okay?

[hushed] Go to the front. I need some room to sit down.

Come on.

[excited chatter]

[turbulence jostles cabin]

[guys cheer]

[indistinct, nervous chatter]

[woman 2] Sit down. I’ll be right there.

[passengers yelp]

[engines straining]

[guys cheer]

Hey! What’s the matter? You scared?

[rattling intensifies]

[woman 1] Careful, Javier. Grab my hand.

[girl] Nando. Nando. Your seat belt.

No! Sit back down. Sit down.

I gotta get there.

[groans]

[passengers scream]

[mechanic moans]

[screams]

[Nando’s mom] Nando! Nando!

Susy!

Don’t get up!

[passengers clamoring]

[engines straining]

[woman 3 shrieks]

[icy wind beating against window]

[pilot] More power! Give it power!

[indistinct shouting]

[passengers screaming]

[Numa grunts]

[man 6] No, no!

[engines roaring]

Our Father, who art in heaven…

I don’t wanna die here!

Hail Mary, full of grace…

[panting]

[screaming intensifies]

[high-pitched ringing]

[sounds fade out]

[explosive roar]

[passengers screaming]

Gastón!

[wind rushing]

[screams]

[twisting metal screeches]

[screaming]

[bones crack]

[screams]

[Nando groans]

[bones snap]

[thunderous crash reverberates]

[silence falls]

[ominous, low droning resonates]

[muffled, metallic creaking]

[buckle clicks, echoes]

[passengers crying out]

[sounds distort]

[distortion subsides]

[man 1] Give me your hand, Roberto.

[metal creaks]

[shivering]

[man 2] I’m down here!

[panicked shouts]

Eduardo. Eduardo. Eduardo.

Shh.

Marcelo.

Yeah, man. Yeah. I’m right here. I’m here.

[groaning weakly]

[man 3, echoing] I don’t want anyone else to die!

I don’t want anyone else to die! I don’t want anyone else to die!

[Roberto] Put him against the wall. Okay, that’s great. Lift him up.

[breathing shakily]

That’s it. I need you to be calm. Relax, relax. Now, breathe.

Look into my eyes. Look into my eyes. I study medicine.

I’m Roberto. What’s your name?

Álvaro.

Álvaro what?

Álvaro… Álvaro… [screams]

[bones snap]

[sounds distort, fade]

[passengers screaming]

[fuselage groans]

[man 4] Please wake up!

[man 5] The pilot’s alive! Here, help me.

The pilot is alive!

Come on, Gustavo.

On three, okay? One, two, three.

[group grunts]

[man 1] This way. Here.

DAY 1 OCTOBER 13, 1972

[man 1] Right here.

[glass crunches]

[group grunts]

Nothing’s turning on. Not even the lights.

I need you to tell me how the radio works.

What? What do I press?

[splutters]

[panting]

Hello? We crashed in the mountains. We’re Uruguayans.

We crashed in the mountains. Is anybody there?

Does this even work?

Huh? What?

[weakly] We passed Curicó.

What do you mean?

We’re past Curicó.

What about Curicó?

Say it again. Come on.

[pilot wheezing]

[coughs]

[man 2] Hey!

[passengers shouting in fuselage]

[pilot gasping for air]

[spluttering, murmuring]

[choking gasps]

[straining] May… may God be with you.

[coughs weakly]

[wind whistling]

[somber string music playing]

[Numa] The night hits like an ambush.

In the span of minutes, temperature drops 86 degrees.

If the plane crash didn’t kill us, the cold will.

[cries of pain and panic]

[passengers shivering]

[Numa] We huddle together the best we can.

Living and dead… as one.

[wind knocking against fuselage]

[man 1 screams]

[bottle cracks]

[Numa breathing heavily]

[screams]

[moans]

[takes a breath] I’m going home now.

Your passport! Give me your passport! Your passport!

Grab my hand tighter.

[Numa] That’s how we spend the night.

Nobody fall asleep! You’ll freeze to death!

[Numa] The injured scream.

[Marcelo] Come on!

[Numa] So do the rest of us.

Let go of me! Mommy!

[crying] Mommy!

Hold me.

[somber string music building]

Tighter, Pancho.

[Abal coughs]

[shakily] Help me. Help me.

[spluttering] Help.

[shivering] Help!

[silence falls]

[wind whistling outside]

[Numa breathing shakily]

[survivors shivering]

[Numa sighs, relieved]

We’re still alive, Pancho. [laughs]

[rattling reverberates across valley]

[breathing heavily]

[snow crunching underfoot]

[ominous music playing]

[panting]

[breathing shakily]

[both shivering]

You got another one?

Do we know where we are?

No, not yet.

Marcelo. We lost three more. Pancho Abal and Martínez Lamas.

And the lady who was screaming.

Gastón got sucked out when the tail broke off.

Also, my cousin Daniel and Guido and Alexis.

[music fades]

Nando may not make it.

His sister’s really weak.

We don’t have anywhere to take care of the injured.

[sighs] Let’s make room inside the plane.

Let’s take out the seats so we can all fit in there.

[both grunting]

[somber instrumental music playing]

C’mon, guys. C’mon.

[group panting]

[Marcelo] We need to prioritize the injured.

So let’s clean up this side of the plane. That’s where the sun is.

We’ll take anyone who’s hurt over there and help them as much as we can.

[Marcelo] Platero!

Yeah?

Anything you find that might be useful, put in a suitcase. Okay?

See if you can find any food in the luggage.

Anything you find, put in a single suitcase.

[man] Bobby. Bobby.

What do we do with the dead?

We put them over there, on that side.

Until rescue comes.

[group panting]

[somber music building]

EUGENIA DOLGAY DE PARRADO

AGE 50 GRAZIELA GUMILA DE MARIANI

AGE 43

DANTE LAGURARA

AGE 41

ESTHER HORTA DE NICOLA

AGE 40 FRANCISCO NICOLA

AGE 40

JULIO FERRADÁS

AGE 39 JULIO MARTÍNEZ LAMAS

AGE 24

FELIPE MAQUIRRIAIN

AGE 22 FRANCISCO “PANCHO” ABAL

AGE 21

FERNANDO VÁZQUEZ

AGE 20 CARLOS VALETA

AGE 18

[somber music fades]

[wind gusting]

[Marcelo] Here, take one, okay?

We gotta make it last.

[indistinct chatter]

[engine whirring in distance]

Hey!

Hey!

Help!

Help!

[man] Hey!

[whirring fades]

Over here! [echoing]

DAY 2 OCTOBER 14, 1972

[man 1] Wait. Stop.

[Carlitos] No. Isn’t there a bigger one?

That one there. Roy!

[man 2] No! Don’t touch it.

[Carlitos] See if you can find rags, coats, clothes.

[guys strain]

[Roy] Here. Take it.

[exhales]

[Roy] Come on.

[Carlitos] Look for fabric, clothes…

[Marcelo] Give me that one.

[Roy] Coco! Take this. It’s bigger.

How many are gonna die tonight?

No one’s gonna die, Carlitos.

I promise.

[Roy] Pancho! More bags!

[wind picks up]

Here, cover all those holes so that the cold doesn’t get in at night.

[footsteps approaching]

[Marcelo shivering]

[quietly] Marcelo.

[indistinct chatter inside cabin]

They’re coming.

Tomorrow.

[sighs]

[wind picks up]

[Numa] Fito Strauch isn’t as optimistic as Marcelo.

He’s a reasonable man.

He would never go against the captain.

But he doesn’t like what he sees.

This is a place where life is impossible.

Out here, we are an anomaly.

DAY 3 OCTOBER 15, 1972

[metal creaking in distance]

[labored breathing]

[Roberto] Nando. Nando.

No. No. Uh, Nando… Don’t.

[grunts] Shit.

Here. Take it.

Give me that. Thanks.

[Nando mumbles, sighs]

I can’t hear you.

What happened?

Plane crashed.

[Nando] My sister?

Susy?

Susy’s over there, resting.

[Nando grunting]

[Susy groaning weakly]

[quietly] Where’s my mom?

[Roberto] Your mom died, Nando.

[speaking inaudibly]

[gentle music playing]

[present-day Nando gasps]

[Nando] Bye, Dad.

See you Monday. Take care of them.

Yeah, yeah.

I got it.

[Nando breathing shakily]

[Nando] How long have we been here?

Three days.

They seen us?

[music fades]

[grunts]

[panting]

[water trickling]

[group breathing heavily]

[Marcelo] Give me that. Okay. Thanks.

[plane engines whirring in distance]

[hum of engines echoes across valley]

[survivors shouting and whistling below]

Hey!

Over here!

Hey! It rocked its wings! They saw us!

They saw us!

The wings moved!

[group cheers]

[sobs]

[man] Over here!

Whoo-hoo!

[whirring fades]

[all shouting and cheering]

[crying]

[anxious silence falls]

[sighs]

[Coco] Do you know what I’d love to eat?

A chivito from Arocena’s.

A full-stuffed Canadian chivito?

[inhales] A milanesa from La Mascota.

[man 1] Oh yeah. That’d be great.

Oh. Fries on the side.

I love their milanesas. So good.

They’re the best.

Incredible. And the size of the milanesas of La Mascota.

[man 2] Fries… and ham. Bacon.

Hey.

[man 3 coughs]

They could’ve dropped some food from the plane, right?

[sighs] Well, that wouldn’t make sense.

If they drop a package like that, it’d sink in the snow.

We’d never get it.

[metal rattles]

[seat belts strain]

[Roberto] Bring in the injured.

[groaning]

[Roberto] Easy. Easy. Okay.

Careful with his legs. Right there.

You’ll be better there, Arturo. Easy.

[grunts, panting]

[plane engines whirring in distance]

[survivors murmuring]

[man 1] It’s getting closer.

[whirring echoes across valley]

[man 2] I don’t see anything.

[man 3] Yeah. Me neither.

[man 4] You see something?

[man 1] I don’t see it.

[whirring fades]

[wind gusting]

[Numa sighs]

[Daniel] The Andes are massive.

They must be organizing the search somehow.

By zone.

Yesterday, they were here.

We saw them fly over.

We heard them today, but we couldn’t see them.

They’re probably searching somewhere else.

If they’re looking, they didn’t see us.

They’re coming.

We need to have faith.

Faith? What faith?

Don’t talk this way in front of the younger guys.

If you tell them, you’ll destroy their morale.

You guys are the oldest ones here, and you have a responsibility.

[sighs]

They will rescue us.

We won’t last like this.

How long can we survive?

[Roberto] Know the rule of three?

[Fito] No.

[Roberto] Three minutes without air,

three days without water, and three weeks without food.

Three weeks without food?

I haven’t eaten in three days. I’m starving.

It’s a lot worse here. There’s the altitude and the cold.

We’re burning three or four times as many calories.

Roque told us about the batteries.

They were in the tail of the plane.

In my opinion, we should go up there, where the plane crashed,

and get the radio working.

[Fito grunts]

[tense, rhythmic music playing]

[panting]

[tense music building]

[foreboding choir music rises]

[music subsides]

[Numa whistles]

We gotta keep going!

The snow is still firm!

Let’s take advantage of that!

Numa! Save your energy!

[exhales]

[Roberto] I don’t want to carry you back.

[Carlitos] Fito.

What happened?

You can’t see the plane.

[sighs, breathing shakily]

They won’t find it, even if they fly over us.

[thunderous crackling]

[rumbling echoes across valley]

We’re going back!

[panting]

[silence falls]

[Numa] It’s been six days without food.

[wind gusting]

[Numa] Last night, we split what we had left.

A pack of crackers.

There’s nothing else.

[panting]

[breathing heavily]

[spits]

[all shivering]

[smacks lips]

[exhales, gulps]

[crunches]

[sighs]

[wind gusting]

[quietly] Carlitos came over to tell me something.

He says that Nando’s losing his mind.

Last night, he went up to him and said he wasn’t gonna starve to death.

I’m not gonna starve to death.

[Fito] That he’d eat the bodies if he had to.

If I have to, I’ll eat the bodies.

I told him that we don’t have another option.

If we wanna get rescued, we gotta stay alive.

And to stay alive, we need to eat.

[wind rattling against fuselage]

[all shivering]

Marcelo.

We’re dying.

We’re starving, and they’re not coming.

We’re wasting ourselves away.

Seven days and nights without food.

Nothing. If we don’t eat, we’re gonna die.

Eat what?

Are you crazy, Roberto?

You gonna make everyone else crazy too?

There’s food outside.

[Roberto] There’s protein outside. Energy that we need.

Do you know what’s crazy? To go on like this!

Roberto!

Roberto’s right. We’re talking about living or dying, Marcelo.

And if help arrives in two days, then what, Fito?

Can’t we wait a couple more days?

Know what happens when you stop eating?

Roberto!

The body dries out. Just like plants.

You can’t use your brain. Because it dries out too, Marcelo.

My pee is black.

Yeah, my pee is black too.

If we do it…

what will happen to us? Will God forgive us?

God put us in this situation. He’ll understand we need to survive.

God has nothing to do with this.

I’m sorry, Marcelo.

It’s luck that brought us here.

Bad luck.

[Arturo] It’s meat.

It’s people we love, Arturo.

And how do you cut up a body?

And who would even do it?

[Fito sighs] Me.

[quietly] I’ll do it.

I will too.

[woman] I’m not eating them.

That’s something I refuse to do.

Is it legal to eat a dead person?

Won’t we go to prison if we do it?

It would be like organ donation.

What’s wrong with you?

For it to be organ donation, you need to have the donor’s consent.

It’s a crime, Marcelo.

We can’t just take, defile, and desecrate someone’s body without consent.

We need to eat, Numa.

We don’t have the right to.

And don’t I have the right to do everything I can to survive?

Who’s gonna take that from me? You?

[crying]

[Marcelo sniffles]

[Pancho sobbing]

[sobs, sniffles]

[frozen wind howling]

[Numa breathing shakily]

[haunting instrumental music playing]

[fuselage creaking]

[wind howling outside]

[labored breathing]

[Susy exhales heavily]

Susy?

Susy. Susy, breathe.

No, no, no. Susana.

Susana, come on. No. No. Gustavo!

Gustavo, help me, please.

Susana. Please help me!

[Gustavo] What’s wrong?

[Nando] She’s not breathing. I don’t know.

[Gustavo] Okay. Put her legs over there. I’ll hold her head.

[Nando] Roberto. She’s not breathing, Roberto.

Help her.

[Roberto] Bring her here. Right there.

Help me, Gustavo! Hurry!

[Gustavo] She’s not breathing.

[Roberto] Susy!

[Numa] Coco Nicolich wrote a letter to his parents.

[somber piano music playing]

[Numa] “Dear Mom and Dad,

I’m writing to you eight days after the plane crashed.”

“We’re in a beautiful place,

completely surrounded by mountains, with a lake nearby,

that will unfreeze when the thaw starts.”

“We’re all doing fine.”

“As of now, there are 27 survivors.”

“Nando Parrado’s sister passed away today.”

“I miss you very much.”

[wind gusting]

[Numa] “And I’m constantly praying to God,

that he at least lets me see you one last time.”

[wind picks up]

This is a cemetery.

[exhales resolutely]

And I’m not staying here.

[thunder rumbling in distance]

[thunder crashes]

[man] It hurts! My stomach hurts!

[woman] I know, Moncho. You need to calm down.

Just breathe.

I can’t breathe. [sobs]

Look at me, Moncho. Look at me. Breathe.

I don’t want to!

Just breathe.

[Moncho] I can’t! I can’t! Help me!

[woman] Yes, you can.

Look at me and breathe!

[Moncho] I gotta get outta here! I’m suffocating!

[woman] You can’t go outside now, Moncho. Look at me. You have to calm down.

[Moncho] I don’t want to die here.

[woman] You’re not going to die.

[Moncho] I don’t want to die here!

[woman] You’re not dying, Moncho.

DAY 9 OCTOBER 21, 1972

[all shivering]

If I die, I give you permission to feed on my body.

So you can keep on living.

I give you my consent as well.

And you have mine.

You also have my permission.

[tense music playing]

[Moncho] Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses.

[gasps]

[Moncho] And lead us not into temptation.

But deliver us from evil. Amen.

[crying softly]

[Nando grunts]

I’m sorry. [sniffles]

[Roque] Sorry, Marcelo.

[Marcelo sniffles]

[man 1] Sorry, Marcelo.

[man 2] Will God forgive us?

[man 3] We don’t have a choice. I’m sorry, Marcelo.

[Marcelo breathing shakily]

[panting]

[sighs]

[somber instrumental music playing]

[shivering] Don’t give me that look, Coche.

I’m not giving you a look.

[shudders]

[group grunting]

[Numa] The Strauch cousins have the most difficult job.

The one no one wants to do.

Fito chooses the bodies.

And they cut them up in secret.

Away from everyone else.

That’s how they keep the ones who eat sane.

[somber music swells]

Hey!

[Coco] What?

[Coche] I found something!

[Roy] A radio!

It’s all wet.

Come on, Roy. Fix it.

[Numa] Those of us who don’t eat keep watching the sky.

Waiting for a sign.

[static crackles]

[indistinct radio chatter]

[Coco] Left or right?

Higher, Coco.

If you want it higher, we’ll need to get more wire

and tie it to a pole or something.

[Roy] Hold it there. A little bit to the left.

A bit more.

Less. A little to the right.

There.

[indistinct chatter continues outside]

[Pancho sniffles]

Take this.

What is that?

Eat it. It’s easier with snow.

[Numa] No, thank you.

I’ll be okay.

[Pancho sniffles, sighs]

You have to eat, Numa.

It’s not right, Pancho.

[sighs]

[man 1 cries out] No!

[Numa gasps]

[screaming and sobbing outside]

Why?! [screams]

[reporter on radio] This is Spectator. We’re coming to you with new information.

The search for the Uruguayan plane that crashed in the Andean Mountain Range

with the rugby team Old Christians, has come to an end.

In the ten days required by the protocol,

66 search and rescue missions were conducted,

using 17 planes from the Chilean Air Force

as well as aircrafts of the Uruguayan and Argentinian Air Forces,

but to no avail.

Search efforts will resume early next year,

when the thawing of the ice will provide

better conditions of visibility to find the wreckage.

The Chilean Air Force’s rescue service

has reported that, in the 34 air accidents that have occurred in the Andes,

no survivors have ever been found.

We’ll return with more news after a commercial break.

[cheerful radio jingle playing]

[announcer 1, in Spanish] Made with premium quality parts.

Beautiful colors and designs.

[announcer 2] Customizable, with three different models.

Bicicletas Victoria, the leading bicycle brand.

[jingle fades]

[in English] I was wrong.

I begged you to wait to be rescued for nothing.

But if I can ask you for one more thing,

I’m asking you to eat.

[tense music playing]

[coughs]

[breathing shakily]

[Marcelo] The only thing we have left is our life.

And we have to fight for it.

[Numa sighs]

[ominous orchestral music playing]

[Numa] We went up to look for the tail of the plane.

Without telling anyone.

With no plan.

We need to find batteries for the radio.

[group panting]

[Numa] Over there.

[sniffles]

[sighs deeply]

I’m here, Gastón.

[speaking inaudibly]

[grunts]

That’s Daniel Shaw, Fito’s cousin.

He was behind me on the plane and flew out.

[Maspons] Sun’s going down.

We should go back.

No.

Let’s look some more. Please.

If we found all these things here, the tail shouldn’t be far behind.

[grunting]

[groans]

[panting]

Who’s up there?

Numa, Gustavo, and Maspons.

They left with nothing.

The temperature up there must drop 80 or 90 degrees.

And it’s gonna be night soon.

[cold air rushes]

[Numa] The sun had melted the snow, and we were knee-deep in it.

[Numa] No, that way!

[panting]

[Numa] We can barely keep going, and the night traps us.

[raging wind]

Everyone, get closer! Get closer.

[moaning]

Calm down!

Come on!

Please, Lord, don’t let us freeze to death.

[Gustavo] Shake the ice off my back!

[all groaning]

[freezing wind picks up]

[silence falls]

[wind gusting]

[gasping]

[groans weakly]

[shivering]

[breathing shakily]

[Numa] The more we try to get out,

the more the mountain resists.

[man 1 screams]

[man 2] Hey!

[softly] Gus, eat.

[Nando] So, Numa.

What did you see up there?

Numa.

Tell me.

Only snow and mountains.

[Nando] In every direction?

[Numa] As far as I could see, that’s all there is.

And to the west?

See anything behind that ice wall?

[Numa] No.

You can’t see anything.

Chile’s right behind it.

We need to go there.

But you gotta eat, Numa. Or you won’t make it to Chile.

[Numa sighs]

[somber instrumental music playing]

[breathing shakily]

[quietly] Come on.

[Numa sighs heavily]

[crying softly]

[Numa] I don’t chew more than two or three times.

And I force myself to swallow.

For the first time, I imagine the possibility that feels increasingly real of not getting back home.

But I look at Nando, and I feel hope.

[wind whipping]

[Numa] He trains every day, obsessed with one idea.

Beyond that mountain lie the green valleys of Chile.

Climbing it is suicide.

[frigid air rushing]

[Numa] But I’m going with him.

DAY 17 FIFTH DAY OF THE STORM

[group laughing and chatting]

[man 1] Getting worse.

Okay, Vasco. Check this out.

‘Cause your rhyme was all talk

[chuckles]

Tell me, why don’t you get up

And go out for a quick walk?

[all laugh]

[man 1] You’re an idiot, Bobby!

[man 2] Okay, Carlitos.

Yeah, Carlitos.

We can barely fit 27 of us

But that’s all right

While we’re all cramped in here

Up in the presidential suite, they’re fine

[all laugh]

[Arturo] While a terrible tragedy unfolds

I want to escape

Yet I see many heroes without capes

[all chuckle]

Aww.

And although sometimes

Anger overtakes me

Standing by your side

Truly strengthens me

[man 3] Deep!

Oh!

Even though we’re now freezing to death

On this plane

I have Coco’s warm feet here

And can’t complain

[both laugh]

But, Coco

Don’t get used to this situation

We gotta get back to Uruguay

Our beloved nation

[man 3] That’s right!

[Daniel] Come on, Coco. Go.

Okay, but mine’s kinda sentimental.

On October thirteenth

My mother’s birthday I did miss

So I humbly ask God

To finally come home

So I can give her a big kiss

[man 4] Very sweet.

[man 5] Nice.

[Fito] There are some decent people

In this space

Yet some know not the candidates

For the presidential race

They are a tremendous disgrace

[all chuckle]

[man 4] That was awful!

[man 6] That’s terrible!

All right.

[man 4] Terrible. The worst.

At least I tried, you know?

You guys didn’t do anything.

[all laugh]

Here in the mountains

The situation’s intense

It makes me wanna start running

Like a puma

But I will not leave this place

Without first hearing a rhyme

From the reserved Numa

[Numa] Uh… [chuckles]

On, uh, this extremely freezing mountain

Where… not even a spider can walk

[all chuckle]

In the… in the fridge

On the mountain of the frozen fridge

Forget it.

[all laugh]

Of the mountain… All right.

[all cheer]

Bravo! Good!

Come on, Numa!

[man 6 whistles]

Bravo!

[cheering continues]

Hey, I tried.

[loud knocking]

[low rumbling]

[fuselage rattling]

[all scream]

[silence falls]

[snow crunching]

[muffled screams]

[gasping for air]

[muffled screams continue under snow]

[survivors screaming indistinctly]

[wind howling]

[panting]

Roy!

[icy wind rushing]

[shivering]

[man 2] Roy!

[man 1] Down there! Down there!

Here! I’m here!

[man 1] Dig! [grunting]

[gasps]

Fito!

[screams]

[man 2] Tintín!

Hey!

[Fito] Hold on!

[man 3] Hold on!

[Fito] Hold on! Hold on! Hold on! We’re getting you out!

[screams]

[Roy] Coche, help.

[Coche] Get him out!

[Fito] Dig! Come on!

[man 5] Hold on!

Hold on!

[gasps]

[man 6] Everyone, dig! Dig!

[gasping for air]

[muffled shouts]

[Fito] Help! Help! Help!

Hang in there, Numa!

Numa, I’ll get you out!

[Numa shouts, strains]

[sounds distort]

[shouts] No! Coco!

[straining]

[panting]

[screams]

Over here!

Coco!

[Javier] Liliana’s down there! Don’t step on her!

Watch out! Liliana’s down there! For God’s sake!

Please, don’t step on her! Liliana’s there!

Liliana, hold on! Don’t step on her! Liliana’s down there! Please!

Don’t step on her! Baby, I’ll get you out!

She’s here!

Coco! No!

Coco! Coco! Coco! Coco!

[Javier] Help me!

[Carlitos] Coco!

[all grunting]

Breathe! Breathe! Breathe!

Breathe, baby. Breathe.

[softly] Breathe! Oh God! Breathe, baby. Please.

Breathe. Oh, baby. Just breathe.

[Carlitos] He’s not breathing!

[Javier] Breathe.

[Carlitos] Hold on!

Please breathe. [kisses]

[sighs, crying] No, my love, don’t go.

[shouting continues]

[fuselage rattling]

[survivors scream]

[man 6] What’s that noise?

[man 4] What’s happening? What’s happening?

[Numa] What is that?

[low rumbling]

[silence falls]

[survivors grunting]

[panting]

[man 1] Come on.

[man 2] There’s air.

[man 3] Oxygen’s coming in.

[man 2] There’s air.

Yes.

Is everyone okay?

Arturo?

I’m alive!

Javier’s alive. Liliana’s gone.

[Fito] Vasco?

Right here. I’m alive.

I’m alive too! It’s Roberto.

Yeah, I’m alive! It’s Moncho.

Pedro Algorta here.

[Fito] Diego? Diego?

Diego’s dead, Fito!

He’s gone. And Roque. Roque too.

Maspons couldn’t make it.

It’s Nando. I’m alive.

Enrique and Juan Carlos are dead.

[Fito] Tintín, you okay?

I’m here.

Coco?

Coco?

Coco’s dead. This is Roy.

And Marcelo? Marcelo?

[man 4] Marcelo!

[Fito] Marcelo!

Marcelo!

Marcelo? [sighs]

[man 4] Captain!

[Fito, echoing] Marcelo!

[ethereal chimes playing]

[ice cracking]

[Numa] Marcelo was buried.

He stopped feeling cold because he didn’t feel anything.

And to stop feeling here is a relief.

For 17 days, we’ve waited for a moment like that.

A moment of calm.

A second of quiet.

[music fades]

[wind howling above]

[fuselage creaking]

How much snow could we have on top?

It could be the entire mountain.

Everyone, pray! Right now!

[survivors] “And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.”

[group continues praying]

[Numa] Today is October 30th.

Today is my birthday.

I’m turning 25.

[creaking fades]

[Numa] Today it’s hard not to think of home.

[somber instrumental music playing]

[wind whistling above]

If light comes in, we shouldn’t be too deep in the snow.

How long do you think we’ll be here?

We can’t go out until the storm’s over.

[fuselage creaking]

[music dies out]

DAY 18 TWO DAYS BURIED

[Numa] The hunger is unbearable.

Till now, the Strauch cousins have been able to make the meat just meat.

Meat without a name.

Without a face.

But that’s impossible here.

[Roberto] So what? Are we gonna do nothing?

[Gustavo] Roberto.

[sighs]

To survive, we gotta eat.

[all breathing shakily]

[Roberto sniffles]

[group crying]

[glass shard slicing]

[Numa sighs]

[flesh tearing]

[exhales shakily]

[crying softly]

[group breathing shakily]

Now you’re letting yourselves die?

After all we’ve been through?

[somber music playing]

[chewing]

[Numa exhales sharply]

[crying]

[Numa grunting furiously]

We gotta get out. I’m not staying here!

We gotta get out!

[grunting]

[glass cracking]

[Numa] What else do you want?

Stop, Numa!

[Numa] Come on!

[Arturo] Stop it, Numa!

[screams]

[inhales sharply]

[Arturo] Numa!

[Numa groaning]

[panting]

DAY 20 FOUR DAYS BURIED

[straining]

[gasps]

[mouthing]

I see the sky!

[bright string music playing]

Come on, Moncho. Go first. You’re smaller.

Go. Go, go, go.

[grunts, yells]

[grunts]

The sun! [sighs]

Help me! Come on!

[panting]

[strains]

[panting]

[man 1 laughing, sighs]

[man 2 exclaims]

[sighs]

We made it.

[takes a deep breath]

Hey! What do you see?

Margarita’s out here, Álvaro.

Your girlfriend!

[man 3] In a bikini!

[Álvaro] Tell her I’ll be right up! [chuckles]

[man 4] We’re alive!

[man 5] We made it!

[survivors cheering and shouting]

[Coche] Hey! Come on!

[wind whipping]

[metal clangs]

[grunts] The bottle. The bottle.

[ominous string music playing]

[music fades]

[Arturo] How’s the leg?

[sighs] It’s okay. It’s just a cut. I’ll be fine.

Save your energy, Numa.

‘Cause I don’t have any left.

[Numa] Don’t say that, Arturo.

Don’t lose your faith.

I have more faith than I ever had in my whole life.

[chuckles] What, are you an altar boy now?

[chuckles, coughs]

[Arturo] Don’t laugh at me.

[Roberto coughs]

‘Cause my faith…

Sorry, Numa.

…isn’t in your God.

Because that God

tells me what I’m supposed to do at home.

But he doesn’t tell me what to do on the mountain.

What’s happening here is a completely different situation.

Numa.

[fuselage clangs]

[Arturo] This is my heaven.

I believe in another god.

I believe in the god that Roberto keeps inside his head when he comes to heal each of my wounds.

In the god that Nando keeps in his legs and that lets him continue walking no matter what.

I believe in Daniel’s hands… when he cuts the meat.

And Fito, when he gives it to us without saying which of our friends it belonged to.

That way, we can eat it without… without having to remember their faces.

That’s the god I believe in.

I believe in Roberto.

In Nando.

In Daniel.

In Fito.

And in our dead friends.

[sniffles]

You’re a philosopher, Arturo.

[chuckles]

Altar boy and philosopher.

[sighs]

[Coche grunts]

[man 1] Okay.

[man 2] Come on!

[Nando] We have to go now.

Look at the sun.

[Roberto] We need to wait.

[Nando] Wait for what?

To be prepared.

What if we get caught in a storm?

We need temperatures to rise.

We can’t spend a single night out in the open.

Tell him, Numa.

[Pedro] The thaw starts on November 15th.

There’s a lower risk of storms because temperatures rise.

[Nando] Two weeks… just waiting.

No. Two weeks of preparation.

So far, we’ve always gone out without a plan, and we’ve failed.

We don’t even know what kind of distance we’re facing.

[Coche] Hey!

We need help over here!

[man 3] Go grab those chairs!

[Coche] Come on. Dig

[man 4] Come help.

[Coche] All good? Grab those plates.

Yeah? Let’s go.

[man 5] Need help?

[man 6] How can I help?

[Coche] Dig on the other side.

[indistinct chatter]

[Roberto and Nando speaking indistinctly]

I don’t get it. I thought you didn’t wanna die here.

DAY 34 THE THAW BEGINS

[water dripping]

Help me, Roberto. Give me a hand.

[Arturo coughing]

Watch it. Hold his head, please.

Very slowly. Lift him. There you go.

[Arturo groaning]

Slowly. Slowly. Slowly.

Easy, easy, Arturo. That’s it.

[coughs weakly]

[Gustavo] Let’s lift his shirt up slowly. That’s it.

[Arturo groans]

[coughs]

[Gustavo] Arturo’s really sick.

He’s got three days. Vasco, maybe five.

What do you think?

About what?

The days they have left.

What do you want, Gustavo?

[guys shouting below]

Say it.

What is it?

Roberto, there’s nothing more we can do here as doctors.

We’re gonna end up becoming gravediggers.

Now, I know how hard it is.

But you’re the strongest player on the team.

Now you have to walk for everyone else.

[Roberto sighs]

[muffled panting]

[crowd cheering]

[echoing] Pass it!

Roberto, pass it!

[group grunts]

[Gustavo] Careful. Over there.

[Arturo gasping for air]

[Gustavo] Move him.

Let’s put him here.

I’m here. I’m here. Breathe, Arturo. Breathe with me. Come on.

[Numa] Arturo Nogueira’s lungs are filled with fluid.

He can’t hold on.

[gently] There you go. There you go.

[Numa] Gustavo tries to help.

That’s it. There you go. There you go.

[Numa] But no one can breathe for him.

[Gustavo] Good job. Good job.

[wind howling outside]

[Gustavo] There you go. There you go.

[foreboding instrumental music playing]

[Numa grunts]

[Numa] We have to try everything.

Four of us volunteer.

We head downhill towards Argentina.

With warmer clothes… in the hope of surviving a night outside.

DAY 36 EXPEDITION EAST, ARGENTINA

[all panting]

[Numa grunts]

[moans]

[Nando] Numa!

[Numa wheezing]

[coughs weakly]

[groans] Ow.

[Roberto] Numa, you okay?

[Numa grunts]

[Roberto] It’s infected.

Let’s go back.

We can’t carry him.

[Nando] Roberto!

I’m going back alone.

The plane’s still close.

[Nando] Okay.

[Numa] Sorry.

[tense instrumental music playing]

[distorted] What happened?

Numa?

[echoing] Numa?

Where are the others?

Numa, answer me. Say something.

[Daniel] It’s okay. We’re here.

[Pancho] What happened?

[music fades]

[crying]

[Vasco] Where is he? My dad!

[Daniel] No, Vasco. We’re here.

[Vasco] Dad?

[Daniel] Calm down. We’re here.

[Vasco] Where’s Dad?

[Daniel] Look at me. Look at me. Your dad’s here.

Look at me. We’re here. We’re here.

[Vasco continues sobbing]

[Vasco] Dad! Dad, come here!

Stop.

Calm down.

We’re here.

[gently] Vasco.

Hey, Vasco! Look at me!

[Vasco] Dad!

[panting, sobs]

[announcer on PA] Flight 328, we are now boarding at gate ten.

Thanks.

[Marcelo] Rafael… Rafael Echevarren.

Huh? Echavarren!

[somber instrumental music playing]

[crying softly]

[Numa] I don’t understand, Javier.

From the very first moment we crashed in this place,

I’ve tried to help as much as I could.

I tried…

to always do the right thing, you know?

And now, with my leg like this…

I’m useless.

What does it all mean?

What’s the meaning of the death of Arturo?

The death of Vasco? Or the death of everybody else?

Liliana gave everything. Always.

[sighs]

During the avalanche, while buried under the snow, I could feel her body underneath mine.

I remember there was only a few inches between me and the surface.

I could actually pull my head out, and… and shout at her with all my strength I had.

“Liliana, hold on!”

“I’ll get you out. I’m alive, love.”

I saw them stepping over where she was, and I shouted, “Oh, my God! Don’t step on her! Don’t!”

“Don’t step on her, please! Liliana’s trapped below.”

[sighs deeply]

But there was simply no way to get her out if I didn’t get out first.

But I was unable to move because my feet were pressed against her chest.

And if I pushed against her, it would make her sink deeper and deeper.

What is the meaning of that, Numa?

[scoffs] When we finally got to Liliana, she was just a lifeless corpse.

At that moment, as they kept digging up friends, one dead, one alive, one dead, one alive… then… I hugged Liliana with all my strength.

And I felt a love I’d never felt in my life.

[gentle instrumental music playing]

And I realized that I had a purpose, which was to take that love that I was squeezing there against my chest… and bring it to my kids back home.

Her death was not in vain.

That wound doesn’t make you useless.

[inhales sharply, groans]

[icy wind howling]

[music fades]

[panting]

[Roberto] Someone ripped all the parts off.

[Roy] Are you serious?

[Roberto] Are you helping?

[quietly] Nando?

They told me you’ve got lazy.

That you sleep all day. Why?

You need to train, Numa.

Why are you here?

You’re not gonna believe this.

We walked for about two, three hours, towards the east.

Until, suddenly, behind a hill, we found the tail.

I can’t believe we found it.

It… it catapulted itself forward.

To the other side.

It was amazing.

It was completely full of scattered suitcases, clean coats.

We found bottles of rum.

Cigarettes.

[softly] And chocolate.

[Numa inhales shakily]

Stop, stop, stop, stop. Not the wrapper.

[clicks tongue]

Now you’re telling me what to eat, man? [coughs]

There you go.

Mm!

[moans]

[Nando] You were right, Numa.

We spent a night out in the open, and we almost didn’t make it.

But we found the plane’s batteries.

[electricity crackles]

[gasps]

[Nando] They were in the tail.

It’ll be much easier to bring the radio here.

Did you see Roy fixed the portable radio?

And Roberto thinks he can get that one in the plane to work too.

We’re going back down there.

We need to try.

[energetic string music playing]

[Numa] Nando, Roberto and Tintín leave with Roy towards the tail of the plane.

I wish I could go with them.

Roy is weak and doesn’t think the radio will work.

Come on, Roy. Not a lot of time.

[Numa] He’s terrified.

But he’s doing it for the team.

[chuckles] I don’t believe it.

[Roberto] Nice, Roy.

1-C-6-0-1.

Which one is it?

B… Not this one. What was it?

Uh…

One, seven.

[Roy] Seven…

What if it doesn’t work?

Huh?

What do we do?

I guess we start walking back.

Right, Roberto?

Toward the west. To Chile.

[static crackles on radio]

[Roberto] Hello?

Hello?

[indistinct radio chatter]

We’re the Uruguayans who crash-landed in the Andes.

Can you hear me? We’re still here!

Hello?

Hello?

[static crackles on radio]

[tango music playing on radio]

[indistinct chatter]

[man] Uh, I don’t know. I never tried it.

[“Zamba del riego” playing on radio]

[Numa sighs]

[Numa] With every day that passes, we lose more of our strength.

[Numa sighs]

[Pancho] It’s okay.

[Numa] The food rations aren’t enough, so we strip the bones of meat.

[news broadcast on radio]

[Numa] What was once unthinkable became routine.

[reporter] …number of intercontinental ballistic missiles and other strategic offensive arms.

[Numa] We just stopped caring.

[Pancho] Come on.

Here. Eat a little.

You have to eat, Numa.

Half and half.

You can’t give up now.

No, I’m not givin’ up, Pancho.

You know, I’m dying.

And it hurts me to not…

not be able to do more for you.

Don’t say that.

Think of yourself.

You want me to think of myself?

Look at me.

I’m 25 years old, Pancho.

I’ve got my enitre life ahead. I’ve got everything left to do.

I want to… see my siblings again.

See my mother, my father.

I want to dance.

[scoffs]

Numa, you don’t dance.

I know.

But now I want to.

I wanna do it all, Pancho.

I want to laugh.

I want to cry.

Then cry.

I can’t.

Cry.

Do it. Come on, cry.

Just cry with me.

[laughs]

What’s so funny?

[chuckles]

Cry with me. Come on. Let it go.

[both crying]

Do it, moron.

Come on.

[sobbing softly]

[metal clatters]

[Tintín] Nando!

Look at this.

What’s that?

It’s waterproof.

We can use it, yeah?

It was covering some pipes.

Is there more?

[Tintín] Yeah. There’s a lot.

[Roberto] Two, four… One, C.

[electricity crackles]

[Roberto gasps]

[screams]

No! [grunting]

[groans, sobbing]

AS OF TODAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1972, THERE ARE 17 MORE SURVIVORS UP ABOVE IN THE URUGUAYAN PLANE THAT CRASHED IN THE MOUNTAINS

[group panting]

[man] What happened?

[Roberto] The radio didn’t work.

[Tintín] But we found this fabric there.

[Daniel] What’s this?

[Tintín] It’s waterproof.

We can make a vest.

[Roberto] No. Not a vest, Tintín.

Let’s make a sleeping bag.

With a sleeping bag, we could get through the night. There’s enough fabric.

Or we could make a big one.

[Nando] When are we leaving, Roberto?

[panting]

Roberto.

When?

As soon as the sleeping bag is done.

[reporter on radio] 58 days after the disappearance of the Fairchild 571 aircraft from the Uruguayan Air Force with 40 passengers and five crew members chartered to transport a rugby team from the Old Christians Club and their companions to Chile.

The local Air Force has specially equipped a C-47 aircraft to resume the search in the Andean Mountain Range.

[Nando] Come on, Roberto. We can’t go back to the beginning.

[Roberto] They said they’ll look for us.

Those morons who flew right over and… and didn’t see us?

They’re looking for bodies.

We’ve been lost here for two months.

[Nando] Two months, Roberto.

Do you still believe they think we’re alive?

Well, we are alive.

[Nando] Alive?

Just look at us. Look at this.

This isn’t being alive.

We won’t make it just by praying, you know.

So you want to climb the mountain sleeping in this?

[Fito] What are you doing, Roberto?

Stop!

[Nando] Roberto.

[Carlitos] You didn’t like it?

[gentle instrumental music playing]

[bird calls]

[man whistling]

[whistling echoes]

[whistles]

[imitating birdsong]

[imitating owl hooting]

[clicks tongue]

[whistling continues]

[imitates birdsong]

[imitates dove cooing]

[group imitating birds]

[all laugh]

[Tintín] Guys.

I’m gonna take a picture.

[camera shutter clicks]

[somber music playing]

[camera shutter clicks]

[sighs]

[camera shutter clicks]

[Numa] Tintín insists on taking pictures.

Like he’s capturing memories of a trip that he’s comin’ back from.

I wonder who these pictures are for.

[camera shutter clicks]

[Numa] For us?

Smile, asshole.

[Numa] I’ll never see them.

Come on. We can still smile.

Maybe they’re for our families.

Or for other people who are remembering us now, looking at pictures of us that were taken in the past.

[Tintín] Carlos. Look at me!

[Numa] And when they look at them, we’ll live again in their imaginations.

Because they’ll ask themselves the same questions we’re asking.

[camera shutter clicks]

“What happened to them?”

[camera shutter clicks]

[Numa] What happened to us?

Who were we on the mountain?

[Numa] Nando.

I want you to know that you have my permission to use my body.

Stop fucking around. Don’t say that.

I know I’m not coming back.

Don’t say that.

It’s the truth.

[takes a deep breath]

But it’s all right.

It’s fine. I’m at peace.

I’m prepared for what’s coming.

We both are, my brother.

And I’m so happy to know that you guys are gonna make it.

That makes me feel very happy, Nando.

[exhales shakily]

[somber music continues]

[wind whistling outside]

[Numa exhales]

[weakly] Thank you.

[somber choral music playing]

[Numa] My name is Numa.

I died on December 11, 1972.

In my sleep.

THERE IS NO GREATER LOVE THAN TO GIVE ONE’S LIFE FOR FRIENDS

We’re leaving tomorrow.

[music fades]

[energetic, rhythmic music playing]

[Coche] You got this.

[Carlitos] Best of luck, Roberto.

Thank you.

Take care.

You too.

[Carlitos] Keep going.

No matter what.

[man 1] My friend.

Give me one more. [grunts]

[Coche] Take care.

[Nando] Carlitos.

Yeah?

You can use the bodies of my mom and Susy. Okay?

[man 2] Let’s go!

[man 3] Yeah, yeah!

[man 2] You can do it!

You got this!

[Javier] Good luck!

[Carlitos] Come on, guys! Look both ways before crossing and don’t forget about us afterwards!

[man 3] We’ll be waiting for you guys!

We’ll see you guys soon!

[man 4] You can do it!

[man 2] Come on, guys!

[energetic, rhythmic music building]

DAY 61 EXPEDITION WEST, CHILE

[panting]

[sighs]

[Roberto] Nando!

We have to find a ledge to put the sleeping bag on!

[Nando] We have to climb a little more!

We’re not gonna make it up there!

I’ll be in the middle.

[wind howling]

[Nando grunts]

[panting]

[breathing heavily]

[energetic music fades]

[ominous orchestral music playing]

[music fades slowly]

[wind gusting]

[panting]

It’s so beautiful.

It’s too bad we’re dead.

I’m not going back.

The Andes have to end at some point The snow too.

The sea’s right behind there.

This never ends.

Look where we are, Roberto.

After all we’ve climbed.

We’re so close now. Look.

We just need to cross the valley. How long can it take?

Ten, twelve days?

We only have enough food for a week.

What do you want to do?

Come and walk with me… or wait on the plane?

You’re asking me to die with you.

I’m asking you to come with me.

Look. Look over there. See those two peaks?

In the middle, like a pair of titties.

There’s no snow there.

Can you see it? That’s Chile.

Can you see it?

I do.

[Nando] Thanks.

Careful.

[Tintín panting]

[Tintín] Nando and Roberto went on, heading west.

We agreed I should come back so the food would last longer.

From above, you can actually see some lower ridges.

Looks like they have a sort of brownish color.

Like there’s no more snow there.

The guys are healthy. Doing really great.

They have enough food for like ten days.

Nothing’s gonna stop them.

[energetic, rhythmic music playing]

[panting]

A valley.

[takes a deep breath]

[music swells]

[birds singing]

[both panting]

[crickets chirping]

[sniffs]

[retches, coughs]

[gasping]

[coughs]

Roberto!

Roberto!

Nando!

[bright instrumental music playing]

Hey! Hey!

Hey! Help us, please!

We’re from a plane that crashed in the mountains!

[Roberto] Hey! Hey!

[Nando] Help us! We’re starving!

AIR RESCUE SERVICE

I’M FROM A PLANE

[Numa] “I’m from a plane that crashed in the mountains.”

“I’m Uruguayan.”

“We’ve been walking through the snow for ten days.”

“There are 14 injured and stranded people in the plane.”

“We need to get out of here fast, and we don’t know how.”

Call from San Fernando.

[Nando grunts]

[Numa] “We have no food.”

“We are very weak.”

“When are you coming to get us?”

“When are you coming to get us?”

[Numa and man] “Please. We can barely walk.”

[Numa] “Where are we?”

[music stops]

[woman whispers] A call from San Fernando.

[chickens clucking]

[Nando] Mm.

[chuckles]

[horse neighs]

[chickens clucking]

[horses snort]

[horse whinnies]

[crowd clamoring]

[reporter 1] Come on.

[reporter 2] Camera ready?

Get ready.

[reporter 3] Let’s talk to these guys.

[static crackling on radio]

[woman singing “Ave Maria” on radio]

[shivering]

[reporter] We interrupt this broadcast, ladies and gentlemen, to bring you more information on the news we gave you a few minutes ago.

We now have the names of the two young survivors from the Uruguayan plane that crashed in the Andes 71 days ago.

Their names are Roberto Canessa and Fernando Parrado.

[helicopter blades whirring]

CHILEAN AIR FORCE

DAY 71 DECEMBER 22, 1972

[soothing orchestral music playing]

Pass it. Pass it to me.

[spits]

Lookin’ good, huh? [chuckles]

[grunts]

What should we do with all this?

[water running]

[birds singing]

[phone ringing]

[man 1] Okay, everyone.

I’m going to tell you the names of the boys.

Can you hear me?

[man 2] Loud and clear.

Just repeat each of the names twice, please.

Each name twice.

[man 1] Roberto Canessa.

Roberto Canessa.

Gustavo Zerbino.

Gustavo Zerbino.

Eduardo Strauch.

Eduardo Strauch.

Álvaro Mangino.

Álvaro Mangino.

Fernando Parrado.

Fernando Parrado.

Antonio Vizintín.

Antonio Vizintín.

Pedro Algorta.

Pedro Algorta.

Alfredo Delgado.

Alfredo Delgado.

Roy Harley.

Roy Harley.

José Luis Inciarte.

José Luis Inciarte.

Ramón Sabella.

Ramón Sabella.

Javier Methol.

Javier Methol.

Carlitos Miguel Páez, my son.

Carlitos Miguel Páez, my son.

Roberto François.

Roberto François.

[helicopter blades whirring in distance]

[Páez] Daniel Fernández.

Daniel Fernández.

Adolfo Strauch.

Adolfo Strauch.

[music swells]

[all cheering]

[laughing]

There they are! There they are!

It’s all of them!

All of them! Hey!

[laughing]

[crying]

[both laughing]

[camera clicks]

[shouting]

[laughing]

Come on! Let’s go!

Whoo!

Let’s go!

[cheering]

We’re going home!

[both laugh]

Come on, Roy! Get up, man!

[Fito] Come on, Gustavo!

Hey! Leave it! Leave it!

What do you mean?

[soldier] Put it down!

Stop! Stop!

Gustavo, let’s go!

No! I’m not going without the luggage!

No!

Get in! Get in! What are you doing?

Fine, bring it in.

Bring it in!

[soldier] Get in! Come on!

Come on! Let’s go!

Come on!

[music swells]

[music fades]

[gentle instrumental music continues]

[fuselage creaking]

[Numa] On December 22, 1972, 16 survivors came back from the Andean Mountain Range.

Today my voice carries their words.

How each of us played our part.

[laughing]

[Numa] This is our story.

[group laughing]

[Gustavo, in distance] Mom!

[laughing]

[mother gasping]

This is a miracle.

This is a miracle.

What miracle, Ma?

What miracle?

[crowd pounding on windows]

[all cheering and applauding]

[Numa] The homecoming is overwhelming.

What is this crowd doing here?

They want to get close to my friends. Touch them, know everything.

“What happened on the mountain?”

We made it! Thank you!

Thank you!

[Numa] Journalists want to know, with their cameras and microphones.

[flashlight clicks]

[Numa] Doctors want to know, with their exams and instruments.

What do they see?

They’re scared of their dirty clothes.

Their skeletal bodies, baked by the sun.

The grime on their skin.

[woman] Nando!

[Numa] The newspapers talk about the heroes of the Andes.

[family crying]

[Numa] The ones who came back from death to reunite with their fathers…

Their mothers.

You look like an old man.

[both laugh]

[Roberto and girlfriend crying]

[Numa] Their girlfriends.

[family crying]

[Numa] And their children.

[shuddering]

[Numa] But they don’t feel like heroes.

[shower running]

[Numa] Because they were dead like us, and only they got to come back home.

[water dripping]

[fuselage creaking]

[wind gusting]

[breeze blowing]

[Numa] Now when they remember us, they ask themselves, “Why didn’t we all get to come back?”

“What does it all mean?”

You’ll need to find out yourselves.

‘Cause the answer is in you.

Keep taking care of each other.

And tell everyone what we did on the mountain.

SOCIETY OF THE SNOW

[gentle orchestral music continues]

BASED ON SOCIETY OF THE SNOW BY PABLO VIERCI

[uplifting vocals]

[gentle music fades]

[energetic string music playing]

[rhythmic clapping]

[tense, rhythmic music playing]

[menacing, rhythmic music playing]

[bright instrumental music playing]

[gentle, uplifting vocals]

[music builds to a powerful crescendo]

[music fades slowly]

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