Much has been said about La Palma, the new Netflix series. Such tragedy of a lava tsunami does provide fuel for an intense narrative. However, the question lingering is: Is it based on a true story? No, it is not. But the series' story is inspired by one immense disaster of catastrophic proportions, with implications that echo until this day. We are talking about the 2021 volcanic eruption on La Palma Island.
The real-life tragedy behind the La Palma series
In September 2021, the Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted on La Palma, part of Spain's Canary Islands, in an event that gripped the world. Over 1,000 abodes were destroyed by rivers of molten lava that ran for three months. The catastrophe dislodged thousands of residents, turning lush landscapes into desolate wastelands. The scars left by this disaster, however, are not superficial. They go deeper than the physical damage. And only recently, the eruption finally slowed down.
The La Palma series, even though fictional, shows how this force of nature can impact individuals and the local community, drawing directly from these real-life events. However, it is not a docuseries. If not a docuseries, what comes as a differential?
When science meets drama
La Palma seamlessly integrates scientific insight with human emotion. The series introduces us to two scientists: Marie, a young researcher, and Haukur, a seasoned volcanologist. With their knowledge of this kind of catastrophe, they fight to be heard because they know what is about to happen and have a good idea of the consequences.
Their struggle shows the frequently frustrating disconnection between scientific warnings and public skepticism. This tension between science and human response makes La Palma stand out from other works with their usual disaster tropes. Also, it makes us feel what is at stake on both personal and global levels.
A story of survival
A Norwegian family has to deal with an imminent volcanic eruption. The series is grounded in the family's struggle to survive. Weaving together moments of desperation, hope, and bonds that do not break, their story becomes an allegory: it examines how people face high-scale challenges while providing positive insights, such as finding strength in connection and resilience.
Grounded in reality
Even if fictional, La Palma stands out for its commitment to authenticity, whose creators used a lot of real scientific data to base their narrative and used the details of the 2021 eruption to make the series look authentic.
We are called to look directly into the eyes of our vulnerability in the face of natural disasters.
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A sobering reminder
La Palma is a series that provokes us to think about humanity's fragility in the face of nature's wrath. The beauty of the Canary Islands, juxtaposed with the devastation of volcanic destruction, serves as a powerful backdrop for this gripping tale.
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