THE SWIMMERS

UK/US, 2022, 134 minutes, Colour.

Nathalie Issa, Manal Issa, Matthias Schweighoffer, Ahmed Malikk, Ali Suliman.

Directed by Sally El Hosaini.

The Swimmers is a powerful reminder of some key events of the 2010s, especially the civil war in Syria and its consequences (and its long continuance), the repercussions on Syrians, decisions to flee the country, the plight of refugees, through Turkey into Greece and Lesbos, the camps, the trekking through Europe to Germany and the welcome in Germany.

And, with the title, and the ambition of the young sister, Yusra, to compete in the Olympics, there are scenes of training as well as the competition in Rio, 2016. But, the key swimming sequence concerns the two sisters, the boat crowded with refugees, jettisoning possessions, and the two sisters going outside the boat to lighten it and swimming behind the boat, heroism.

The film was written and directed by Sally El Husseini, educated in both Egypt and Wales, a filmmaker in the UK as well as in the US, cinema films and television. The screenplay was cowritten with Jack Thorne, British writer with a range of screenplays from His Dark Materials to the Enola Holmes films, to adapting Tim Winton’s Dirt Music.

The opening is deceptive, Damascus, affluent young people, partying, singing, a seemingly carefree world – until there are explosions seen in the distance. The audience is then immersed in the questions of the civil war, questions about leaving Damascus. What follows is the journey that so many undertook at that time, leaving Syria for Turkey, finding people smugglers, paying large sums of money, disreputable boats, the refugees being abandoned, difficulties on sea, eventually landing on Lesbos, this group having some money and able to survive, but then wending their way legally and illegally through Europe, borders in Hungary, into Germany where they are welcomed.

The central characters are the two sisters, both swimmers, trained by their father, the younger sister having ambitions to compete in the Olympic Games, the older sister rather more carefree. The film shows the bonds between the two sisters yet continued tensions, one outgoing, the other more introverted, continually anxious about the family in Damascus.

On their arrival in Berlin, they approach a swimming coach, demonstrates the stamina and speed of Yusra. The coach undertakes her training, leading to the Olympic Games, but not swimming for Germany but rather from the recently established refugee team.

There is some exhilaration at the end of the film, going to Brazil, going to Rio, the atmosphere of the Olympics, the competitive swim and victory.

1. The title, the focus, the sisters and their family, swimming, the Olympics? Syria, war, refugees?
2. The film based on true story and characters? Sense of realism?
3. The time period, the civil war in Syria, the increasing number of refugees, 2015-2016, the journey through Turkey, the waters to Greece, Lesbos, trekking through Europe, settling in Germany? The world response, European response, the welcome from Germany?
4. The opening and atmosphere, Syria, society, young people, the parties, song and dance? Then the glimpse of the explosions, the reality of the war? The effect on the family, their ordinary life, the two daughters, swimming, training, the strict regime? Tensions in the house, parents, loving, the father and his demands in training? The younger sister? The personality of the two sisters, Sara outgoing, Yusra more introverted, focused on her sport, and the influence of her father?
5. The situation in Syria, the decision to leave, the emotional consequences, the plan to go to Germany, to bring the family to Germany? The preparations, the documents, the flight to Turkey, the farewells? The experience of the flight and leaving Syria? The different responses of each sister?
6. Their cousin, his role in Syria, his studies, personality, accompanying his cousins?
7. Turkey, the risks, the contact with the people smugglers, the deal, the bus, the group, the variety of refugees and their origins, Afghanistan, Somalia…? The risk with the money, the smuggler, the bus, to the shore, the boat, his not going with the refugees, the old boat and its dangers, out in the sea, the risks? Avoiding the Coast Guard?
8. The voyage, people getting to know each other, night, the difficulties, the failing boat? Jettisoning everything, Yusra and her medals? The two girls out of the boat, lightening it, swimming behind the boat, the exhaustion? Eventually landing?
9. The situation on Lesbos, world knowledge of what was happening, especially later with the crowds of refugees? Walking around the town, finding the shower, the restaurants? Getting in touch with refugee assistance groups? Travelling through Europe, the Hungarian border, the help of getting over the fence, others failing? The trucks, into Germany?
10. The sisters separated, the effect, their cousin? Finding each other again? The bonds with the various people in the group, the man from Afghanistan, the mother and the baby?
11. The sisters arriving in Berlin, assistance, some accommodation, the tensions between the two, Yusra and her personality, homesick, concerned about the family, the contrast with Sara, outgoing, surviving? But the continued phone calls with the family?
12. Going to the swimming pool, Yusra and her determination, meeting Sven, work as a trainer, personality, giving Yusra of the opportunity, her swimming in style, determination, his accepting her, the training, the goal of the Olympics? The issue of the Olympics in Rio? Qualifications? Her wanting to swim for Germany? The establishing of the refugees’ team, her finally accepting a place in this team?
13. Sara, more outgoing, life in Germany, socialising? The separation between the two sisters?
14. Rio, the atmosphere, the Olympic Games, the teams, the accommodation, the experience of Brazil? Sarah and her arriving?
15. Yusra, with the other competitors, preparation, the race, her success? Sarah being present?
16. The aftermath, the family coming to Germany, Sarah and her refugee work in Lesbos – and her arrest and impending trial for aiding refugees? Yusra and the prospect of the Tokyo Olympic Games?