Society of the Snow, directed by J.A. Bayona, is set to conclude the 2023 Venice Film Festival. The survival thriller, which marks Bayona’s return to Spanish-language filmmaking after 16 years, will have its world premiere on September 9th, following the festival’s awards ceremony. The film, produced by Netflix, will be shown out of competition on the Lido.
Set in 1972, Society of the Snow tells the harrowing true story of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571. The plane was carrying a rugby team to Chile but crashed in the Andes mountains. Of the 45 passengers on board, only 29 survived the accident. Trapped in an inhospitable and inaccessible environment, the survivors were forced to resort to extreme measures to stay alive.
The announcement of Society of the Snow as the festival’s closing film comes at a time when fall festivals are preparing for the impact of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. Additionally, Venice recently faced the setback of losing its original opening night film, Challengers. The R-rated tennis drama, directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist, was scheduled to premiere on September 1st, but due to the strike, it has been delayed to April 2024, meaning it will not be screened at Venice at all. In its place, Edoardo De Angelis’ film Comandante has been selected as the new opening night film.
Venice director Alberto Barbera had previously mentioned working on a contingency plan in case American films could not participate in the festival due to the strike. It appears that the plan is now in operation, and the festival will adopt a Pan-European approach.
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With Society of the Snow as its closing film, the Venice Film Festival continues its tradition of showcasing diverse and compelling cinema. Bayona is known for his ability to create tension and emotional depth in his storytelling, as seen in his previous films such as The Orphanage and The Impossible. Society of the Snow is expected to deliver a gripping and intense viewing experience, highlighting both the resilience of the human spirit and the lengths people are willing to go to survive in extreme circumstances.
The Venice Film Festival is one of the most prestigious film events in the world and has a long history of premiering acclaimed films. By selecting Society of the Snow as its closing film, the festival reinforces its commitment to showcasing international cinema and providing a platform for filmmakers to share their stories with a global audience.
As audiences and industry professionals eagerly anticipate the premiere of Society of the Snow, the Venice Film Festival remains an essential destination for celebrating the art of filmmaking and discovering new voices in cinema. The festival’s commitment to supporting diverse storytelling and providing a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work continues to solidify its reputation as a leading international film event.
In conclusion, Society of the Snow’s selection as the closing film of the 2023 Venice Film Festival is a highly anticipated event in the global film industry. With its powerful storytelling and gripping survival narrative, the film is expected to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression. The festival’s decision to include Society of the Snow further cements its status as a prestigious platform for showcasing groundbreaking cinema from around the world.
