‘It’s the most faithful movie ever’: Snowmobile crash survivor confirms Netflix film

Directed by Juan Antonio Bayona, The Circle of Snow is taking the world by storm, and for good reason, the movie is number one on Netflix. This drama recounts the two months of the 1972 Fuerza Aérea Uruguayan rescue of the survivors of Andean Flight 571. To recreate this nightmare, the director – who also co-wrote the film – worked directly with the survivors.

Conducted interviews and recorded more than a hundred hours, but participated in the design of the sets. The interior of the plane, as seen in the film, was detailed by survivors who shared all their memories of that time. All details are close to reality.

“I spat in the face of death”

Now 74-year-old Nando Parado is one of the 16 survivors of the crash. “No matter what you’ve read or seen about it, this is the most accurate film about our experienceHe says for that Netflix. I discovered a lot about myself on this mountain top. I learned to trust myself and I learned that when something bad happens, you have to act.“

He follows: “I spit on death eight times and returned. I think experiences like this, on this scale, are always rich in lessons. I lost everything that day. I lost my family, friends, future. I was sitting on a rock at 4,500 meters above sea level, in a shirt, and here I am 51 years later because I took action. I always tell people, “Tomorrow the sun will rise for everyone.” It is up to each person to create their own life. Even if you have big worries, think about us, this movie and create your own miracle. Because it’s a miracle that I’m here.“

in a state of shock

In an interview with AlloCiné, director Juan Antonio Bayona spoke about his and the survivors’ emotions when he presented his film to them: “When we showed the “Snow Circle” to the survivors, they were shocked because they could recognize every mountain, every corner of the valley where the story takes place. For the first time they really felt that they were returning to the place where they had been for so long.”

Commentaries of Juan Antonio Bayona, collected by Thomas Desroches, Paris, October 2023.

Snow Circle is available on Netflix.