X
- 2022
- PG-13
- Netflix
- 2 h 14 m
- 2022
- PG-13
- Netflix
- 2 h 14 m
Summary A story of the miraculous journey made by swimming sisters Yusra and Sarah Mardini who fled as refugees from war-torn Syria all the way to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Directed By: Sally El Hosaini
Written By: Jack Thorne, Sally El Hosaini
- 2022
- PG-13
- Netflix
- 2 h 14 m
- 2022
- PG-13
- Netflix
- 2 h 14 m
The Swimmers
62
6.6
Where to Watch
Summary A story of the miraculous journey made by swimming sisters Yusra and Sarah Mardini who fled as refugees from war-torn Syria all the way to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Directed By: Sally El Hosaini
Written By: Jack Thorne, Sally El Hosaini
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
62
47% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
53% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 15 Critic Reviews
62
47% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
53% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Not all heroes wear capes, some wear swimming caps – and The Swimmers is an empowering reminder that it is a human right to live safely, no matter where you come from.
Its impact comes not only from the real-life events it’s depicting, but also the way in which it frames this now-familiar tale; a triumph of human – and particularly female – will against adversity and a celebration of those who would seek a better life, despite the costs.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 25 User Ratings
6.6
64% Positive
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
28% Mixed
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
8% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 25 User Ratings
6.6
64% Positive
16 Ratings
16 Ratings
28% Mixed
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
8% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
IN A NUTSHELL:
Sisters Yusra and Sarah Mardini fled their home country of Syria in 2015 when their house was destroyed during the civil war. They journeyed to Lebanon and then onto Turkey where they arranged to be smuggled into Greece on a dinghy. However, the refugees were in the middle of the Aegean Sea when the engine of the overcrowded dinghy cut out and the pair, plus two others who could swim, were responsible for saving the lives of those on board. Just a year after their harrowing experience Yusra competed in two swimming events at the Rio Olympics as part of the Refugee Olympic team.
The inspirational movie was directed by the Egyptian-Welsh Sally El Hosaini, who also co-wrote it with Jack Thorne. It combines sports and survival genres, based on true events.
THINGS I LIKED:
The cast was really great and completely believable in their portrayal of the real people this story is about. The most screen time went to the sisters played by Nathalie Issa and Manal Issa, sisters in real life!
Matthias Schweighof might be the only recognizable face in the cast. It was a pleasure to meet new actors.
The issue of refugees is controversial, yet important, especially as we see current countries devastated by war and natural disasters. The director stated that she hopes this movie will put the refugee conversation back on the table.
Actual refugees were used in the scenes with the rubber dinghy on the ocean. The seasickness and fainting were all real. The night scenes in the ocean, however, were filmed in a big pool.
The director did an excellent job painting images that were absolutely devastating and hopeful at the same time.
Yusra Mardini, the real-life Olympic swimmer did one of the stunts for the actress that was playing her in the movie!
Because of this movie, more attention will be given to the refugee crises around the world. You can learn more and take action at websites like Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International. Share your words of inspiration and hope using #freehumanitarians
The scene with all of those life jackets…POWERFUL. Your eyes will be opened to the refugee crisis in the world.
It was inspiring to see modern young women from the Middle East and how they were so independent, hopeful, and educated about world events. It’s humbling how so many people around the world use English to communicate with one another.
I love that the Olympics made room for country-less athletes to compete. Kudos to the inclusive-thinking leaders who made that decision!
The end of the movie shows screen cards that tell you where the sisters and their cousin are now.
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:
The movie is WAY too long. There are so many scenes that could have easily been shaved down or deleted altogether to get this film down to an acceptable length.
TIPS FOR PARENTS:
Talk of war, death, and politics
Young kids will get bored
Lots of smoking, alcohol, and drug use
We see an attempted ****
Profanity
We have to read subtitles during certain parts of the movie
Report
The Swimmers tells this story as an inspirational (but rarely sugarcoated) crowd-pleaser. Within those terms, it hits its marks.
One issue with here is there’s so much plot, alongside a persistent desire to frame and underscore every one of this journey’s universal resonances, that it’s hard not to feel bogged down in ideas and details.
The juxtaposition of jubilance and misery is the film’s modus operandi, however jarring it may seem.
Destined to make audiences weep, The Swimmers is no doubt a crowd-pleaser with an important message about the growing refugee crisis worldwide, and Yusra’s story is one worth telling. It’s a pity the filmmakers couldn’t take the time to see her life as more than just a vessel for this message.
There’s an extraordinary story to be told here. It’s just a shame it had to be told in such an ordinary way.
A remarkable movie that documents the often ignored plight of migrants fleeing war zones and failed states. This is a true story of 2 sisters and their indomitable will to survive and thrive, for themselves, their dreams and their families. The horrors of the land and sea passage, at the mercy of predatory smugglers and coyotes, are accurately depicted here. There is a humanizing element, but a well-balanced portrayal of both sides of the coin, where these fleeing persons are treated with the milk of human kindness and the bitterness of inhuman cruelty. The director keeps the story real, light-hearted and fun, avoiding depicting this difficult passage as some romantic road trip. Rather the harsh realities of migrants are shown effectively, especially the tremendous risks they take crossing borders. What pushes people to such desperation? Those living comfortable lives cannot really declare migrants as parasites until they themselves fall on hard times, often through no fault of their own. It is equally rewarding to follow the real-world progress of Yusra Mardini as she continues to pursue her family's passion for swimming, and Sara Mardini who seemed scarred by her crossing of the deadly ocean on a sinking raft. I will eagerly follow the outcome of both their trials in life.
Report
Inspiring no doubt about it, however much of what it proposes on most occasions only focuses on manipulating the viewer, and of course with a story like that was to be expected, but you have to criticize things as they are.
The movie itself is not bad, but its whole structure is focused on putting one problematic situation after another that they managed to get out of, and that's the inspiring thing, but in the end you don't know **** about them, because the script wasn't interested in them but in what they survived. The rest flows fine, but that's pretty much it.
Report
(Mauro Lanari)
It wouldn't have been a shareable film if towards the end there hadn't been the older sister's speech to the younger one: in Levi's terms, she invites her to compete not only for the saved but also for the drowned, those who didn't make it. It's the moment when Sally El Hosaini takes off from the issue of refugees to that of outcasts of all kinds.
Report
Just another story line presented as earth shaking where the journey is the point. Not very compelling because the story isn't done right. Our view is "don't waste your time."
Report
Production Company
AZ Celtic Films,
CAMA Asset Storage & Recycling,
Working Title Films
Release Date Nov 11, 2022
Duration 2 h 14 m
Rating PG-13
Awards
BAFTA Awards, Wales
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
BAFTA Awards
• 1 Nomination
Girls on Film Awards
• 1 Nomination
