'Swim for me, for everyone who died trying to find a new life — swim for all of us.'
Directed by Sally El Hosaini, “The Swimmers” is a moving and harrowing movie based on a true story. An inspirational emotional roller coaster ride of 2:10 hours, The Swimmers uncovers the heroic story of the two incredible Mardini sisters who fled from war-torn Syria to Germany.
‘The Swimmers’ is an ensemble survival thriller and sports drama sewn into one. El Hosaini conserves the essence of sisterhood by casting real-life Lebanese sisters Nathalie and Manal Issa to play Yusra Mardini and Sara Mardini respectively.
El Hosaini, who co-authored this film with Jack Thorne, does justice to the lives of the Mardini sisters and the sacrifices of Forced Migrants by handling sordid truths without getting too graphic in her depiction of the brutalities of war or the trauma of refugees, set up a young adult-friendly viewing experience. She succeeded in showing how difficult and perilous the journey can be for refugees regardless of their gender.
The film has been shot in actual locations, captured impressively through the captivating cinematography of Christopher Ross.
“The Swimmers” is filled with beautiful, authentic, breathtaking, heart-wrenching, and nail-biting scenes as it could recreate the chilling dangers the sisters and their fellow refugees faced, which makes it worth watching.