‘Society of the Snow’ Survivor in Hot Water Due to Fan Interactions

Society of the Snow real-life survivor Roberto Canessa is under fire after a fan interaction that occurred during a conference in Torreón, Mexico.

Canessa, who survived the real-life accident Society of the Snow is based on, can be seen embracing a female fan as he takes a picture after the conference. When she turns to take the photo, he puts his arm around her, grazing her waist and her buttocks as he does so. The video has now gone viral.

The reaction from fans has been swift, with the internet calling out Canessa for “meterle mano” or “inappropriate touching.” And after the first video came out, other fan interactions with young women were posted as well.

Canessa, a doctor and motivational speaker, has been a popular figure for over five decades in Uruguay and all over Latin America, but especially so in the last few months after Society of the Snow brought the story of the crash he survived back to the general consciousness. He often talks about his experience in the Andes and has especially done so after Society of the Snow was released on Netflix earlier this year.

The movie Society of the Snow, based on the book by Pablo Vierci, tells the story of the crash of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 in the Andes mountains in 1972. Roberto Canessa and Nando Parrado climbed 15,260 feet and walked for approximately 38 miles and 10 days to seek help, leading to 16 survivors being rescued after 72 days in the mountains. 

It was nominated for two Oscars, for Best International Feature Film and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. However, it didn’t win any Oscars, and fans said at the time that the movie had been robbed.