LOS ANGELES - The remarkable story of the Uruguayan Air Force plane disaster and the subsequent survival of its passengers has once again been brought to life in J.A. Bayona's latest film, "Society of the Snow." Released on Netflix as of Thursday, the film pays tribute to the endurance and resilience of Gustavo Zerbino and his teammates, who were stranded in the snow-covered Andes mountains for approximately 70 days over 50 years ago.

Based on Pablo Vierci's book of the same title, the movie follows the harrowing journey of the Old Christians rugby team, their relatives, and friends, as they faced snowstorms, avalanches, and starvation after their plane crashed. Forced to resort to cannibalism to survive, their story has been previously dramatized in various forms of media, but Zerbino believes that "Society of the Snow" is the missing piece that accurately represents their experiences.

Bayona, known for his work on "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom," wanted to create a film that transcended a mere retelling of the tragedy. With Vierci serving as an associate producer, the director aimed to build a connection between the living and the dead, seamlessly incorporating homage to the deceased throughout the narrative.

The critically acclaimed film, which has been nominated for a Golden Globe, uses Numa Turcatti as the narrator, portrayed by Enzo Vogrincic. Turcatti tragically passed away before the team's rescue, and telling the story from his perspective added a unique and poignant element. Vierci explained that this approach provides insight into how a community faced adversities and emphasized compassion and mercy.

Bayona's focus on authenticity pushed him to involve actual survivors in the film. Carlitos Páez, one of the survivors who was only 19 years old at the time of the crash, even played the role of his own father. The director took great measures to ensure accuracy, including putting the cast on a medically supervised weight-loss program and filming avalanche scenes in freezing conditions.

With its commitment to honoring the dead and depicting the journey of survival without sensationalizing the horrors endured, "Society of the Snow" has resonated deeply with audiences. This was particularly evident when Zerbino watched the film alongside other survivors and victims' family members, who gave the end credits a standing ovation. For many relatives, this was their first engagement with retellings of the story, as they had previously chosen to avoid the pain of reliving it.

Zerbino, who sees his involvement in preserving the legacy of his fallen teammates as a personal commitment, was moved by the film's faithfulness to their story. He believes that through "Society of the Snow," their mission to tell the world how they sacrificed their own flesh to keep their friends alive will be preserved.

Bayona's film is now on the shortlist for Best International Feature Film at the 2024 Academy Awards, solidifying its impact and recognition within the industry. By shedding light on the immense bravery and resilience of the survivors, "Society of the Snow" serves as a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit.

As the film continues to captivate audiences on Netflix, Zerbino and his teammates' incredible and inspiring tale will undoubtedly gain further recognition as a story of triumph against unimaginable odds.