Only a few sports films talk about swimming athletes, especially the character who is also a refugee. The Swimmers is a British sports biographical film directed by Sally El-Hosaini. The film stars Nathalie Issa, Manal Issa, Ahmed Malek, and well-known actor Matthias Schweighöfer. This 134-minute film was released by Netflix on November 23 just last. So, is this substantial issue and themed film able to speak more?
Sisters Yusra (Nathalie) and Sara (Manal) are two great swimmers from Syria who their father trained. They were training hard for the upcoming Olympics in Rio, but fate said otherwise. Their country is at war, so Sara and Yusra are forced to flee to achieve their dreams. Accompanied by their uncle, Nizar (Malek), they finally intend to go to Germany. They were traveling as a refugee is more challenging than they thought. The shadow of death every moment approaches makes the Olympics seem far from a dream.
One outstanding achievement of this film is the visualization of the refugees’ journey. Although many films, including documentaries, have recorded the same thing, the two protagonists make the difference now. The two actors (Issa sisters), who are real sisters, have made their chemistry solid and emotional. These relationships and closeness make the story more alive amid an atmosphere of precariousness and endless danger. Although the plot’s direction for film lovers is not challenging to read, the story of the journey still feels uncomfortable to watch.
One other strength is its production value. Many scenes’ settings and locations are challenging, but this film can present them convincingly. From the set of the training ground in Syria that was shot by air bombs, the rubber boat that took them to Greek waters, the heavily guarded border, the refugee camp in Berlin, to the Rio Olympic swimming sports venue. How could they present all of that so convincingly? Many of them can be shot in locations close to the original, but the Rio Olympics venue? How?
The Swimmers is a fantastic biopic through the story of the journey of refugees across the country and its production value, but not the best in its genre. I want to appreciate some of the visualizations of the scenes in this film, but the threat of danger in some of the scenes feels less biting, even when they both have to swim in the open sea. Something needs to be added, and it still feels like we watched a movie and couldn’t get into the scene.
Also, in the end, one round of swimming competition was presented (qualifying or final), but it was as if Yusra had won (a gold medal). The fact is not. Just shooting Yusra, who was on standby, and then the sound of the whistle was enough to create a dramatic ending. Her participation in the Olympics is already a victory for her country and the refugees it represents.
