Snow Circle on Netflix: Are the Survivors Really Appearing in the Movie?

Currently at the top of Netflix’s top 10 movies, The Circle of Snow is causing a sensation by telling this true story that has taken the world by storm. And his success is not accidental. Survivors and families of those killed in the crash of Fuerza Aéra Uruguaya Flight 571 were closely involved in the making of the film. A few cameos are proof of that.

To remind you, Le Cercle des neiges tells the story of the Uruguayan rugby team’s plane crash in the middle of the Andes, when they were on their way to Chile for a series of matches, and the 72 days during which they had to survive the cold. Starvation before survival.

Although Juan Antonio Bayona’s film has some deviations from the actual facts, much of its good reception is due to its realism and fidelity to history. The film is an adaptation of Pablo Vierch’s book, the first to collect the testimonies of 16 survivors.

Vierchi played a crucial role in connecting JA Bayona with the survivors of the accident as well as the families of the deceased. Their participation thus contributed to the film’s success and led to several cameos.

Fernando Parado

Fernando Parado, nicknamed “Nando”, is one of the main characters of the story. He and Roberto Canesa drove 60 kilometers from the crash site to the valleys of Chile.

Parado was seriously injured in the accident and lost his mother and sister in the tragedy. But thanks to his steely mind, he became crucial to the survival of the entire team.

In a very brief scene at the beginning of the film, we can see the real Fernando Parrado opening a door for his on-screen character (Agustín Pardella). This is his arrival at the Montevideo airport before boarding the plane.

Roberto Canesa

Like Fernando Parado, Roberto Canesa is one of the most famous names among the 16 survivors of the Fuerza Aéra Uruguaya 571 disaster. It was he who managed to travel to Chile with Nando – without any equipment – to seek help. His role in the film is crucial as he becomes a natural leader after the accident.

The real Roberto Canesa is seen behind the fictional Canesa (Matías Recalt) as the group arrives at the hospital as heroes or even saints. In the film, we see Roberto Canesa wearing a doctor’s coat, which is a bit of a touch of reality since he became a pediatric cardiologist.

Carlos Paez

Carlos Páez, nicknamed “Carlitos” and played in the film by Felipe González Otanio, was the youngest male survivor of the accident. During the 72 days he spent in the Andes, one of his main tasks was to seal the cabin of the plane so that everyone would not freeze during the night.

Carlitos’ father was a famous Uruguayan artist (Carlos Paes Villaro, painter, ceramicist, sculptor, muralist, writer, composer) and his role in the search for the plane was crucial. In a very touching cameo, Carlitos plays his own father, and this is the only cameo with dialogue, as he reads the names of the survivors over the radio.

Daniel Fernandez Strauch

Daniel Fernandez Strauch, played by Francisco Romero, takes a very careful shot in the film. Fernández takes part in a church scene where Gaston Costemal, played by Argentinian musician Jaime James Luta, meets Numa Turcati to convince her to go to Chile with her teammates.

Daniel Fernandez Strauch is, in real life, a cousin of the Strauch brothers, the two men who were responsible for cutting flesh from the bodies to feed the survivors after the plane crashed. Strauch can be seen sitting in the second row on the left side of one of the widest shots of the crowd.

Jose Luis Inciarte

José Luis Nicolás Inquiarte, alias “Coshi”, played by Simon Hampe, appears in the bar scene. Numa finds Gaston Costemale and two of his teammates, who try to convince him to follow him to Chile.

In one shot, Inciarte can be seen as a man reading a newspaper in the background, on the left edge of the frame.

Note: Jose Luis “Coche” Inciarte died on July 23, 2023, before the film was released.

Antonio visit

Antonio Visintini, aka “Tintin”, played by Agustín Della Corte, participated in the pre-boarding of the film. He is additionally credited with the scene at Carrasco Airport in Montevideo.

However, it is possible that his appearance was not retained in the final cut; At best, it is incredibly difficult to detect. And it merges with the addition.

Ramon Sabella

Ramon Sabella, nicknamed “Moncho” and played by Rocco Posca, also participated in the filming of the film as an extra in the airport scene. However, unlike his former rugby teammate, he only appears very briefly.

Javier and Liliana Methol said goodbye to their loved ones, and one of the widest images shows Sabella walking by, dressed in a dark suit and with her head slightly turned to the camera.

Joaquin de Freitas Turcat

Joaquin de Freitas Turcat plays one of the most important roles in the film. He plays Numa’s neighbor. Numa is the narrator of the film and plays an important role, although he did not survive the ankle injury.

All the voices of the passengers and crew members who died in the Andes tragedy are conveyed through the character of Numa, which forms the cornerstone of Juan Antonio Bayona’s approach to the film.

In the film, Joaquín de Freita’s Turcat makes a small but important appearance when he greets Numa before she enters the house on her bicycle. He is Numa’s nephew in real life.

Snow Circle is still available on Netflix.