TIFF: 'The Swimmers' is a true, moving tale of two young refugee sisters from Syria

Directed and a screenplay by Sally El Hosaini, and multi-award-winning screenwriter and playwright Jack Thorne, and executive produced by Stephen Daldry, Katherine Pomfret, Tilly Coulson in the United Kingdom in 2022, ‘The Swimmers’ was world premiered during the 47th edition of TIFF 2022 Gala on Sep 8, Roy Thomson Hall.

The Swimmers stars sisters Manal Issa and Nathalie Issa as sisters Yusra and Sara Mardini.

Drawn from the most pressing of global stories, The Swimmers is an epic adventure recounting the true and moving tale of two young women refugee sisters Yusra and Sara Mardini, who fled their home in war-torn Damascus to seek a new life in Europe and earn the chance to compete in the Olympics.

The cast of The Swimmers in the Press Conference / Image: Asha Bajaj

Having pursued rigorous swimming training with their father (Ali Suliman) since childhood Yusra (starring Manal Issa) and Sara ( starring Nathalie Issa) see their dreams of Olympic gold quickly fading with Syria’s devastating civil war escalating and decide to risk the perilous journey to Europe.

Accompanied by their cousin (Ahmed Malek), they escape first to Lebanon, then Turkey, and board a small boat full of fellow refugees to cross a lethal stretch of the Mediterranean sea.

Sisters in real life, Nathalie Issa and Manal Issa deliver outstanding performances as Yusra and Sara, full of passion and emotional intimacy. With Yusra and Sara’s fortunes looking brighter in Europe, swim coach Sven Spannekrebs (Matthias Schweighöfer) offers the opportunity to fulfill their lifelong dream.

“I’m ecstatic. What an honor and privilege to open TIFF with the inspirational true-life story of the Mardini sisters,” director El Hosaini has said. “A city as multicultural and diverse as Toronto is the perfect place to debut our film that elevates the visibility and voice of refugees, reminding us that the human capacity to survive is stronger than most of us know.”

During the Red carpet event of The Swimmers, the sisters spoke to TWF exclusively.

While describing their experiences in trying to escape from Syria, Yusra said, "Nobody should have to undergo what I have gone through.”

Sara Mardini said, “After our escape first to Lebanon, then Turkey, the most challenging was boarding a small boat full of fellow refugees to cross a lethal stretch of the Mediterranean sea.

Powerfully cinematic storyteller, and motivated by gripping events, El Hosaini presents The Swimmers as a testament to perseverance in the face of unspeakable adversity. The story gains significance with her focus mainly on the loving relationship between two sisters fiercely holding onto life.

​Yusra Mardini and Sara Mardini on the Red Carpet. Image: Jag Bajaj

Born in Swansea, Wales, and raised in Cairo, Sally El Hosaini has directed the shorts The Fifth Bowl (08) and Henna Night (09), the television series Babylon (14), and her feature debut My Brother the Devil (13). The Swimmers (22) is her latest film.

Sally was presented with the TIFF Tribute Award Presented by BVLGARI 2022 during the TIFF Tribute Awards gala fundraiser on Sunday, September 11 at the historic Fairmont Royal York.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)