Les Nageuses

..for how much it made me cry. A beautiful film. Well told. I'm sure there was a lot more heartache and joy in their journey, but this was phenomenal to be able to fit into the length of a feature.. and no buts, purely a fantastic film. Kudos to the director, editors, and everyone involved. I wish to know everyone's story from their particular journey. I know many have had to do this trip and many didn't make it. Inspiring. IMDB is making me write more, but I don't mind just repeating how great this film is. I look forward to seeing more films directed by Sally El Hosaini and writing by her as well.

It's a wonderful story sees two girls become women, when they're forced to up sticks from the place they've been living, as conflict and turmoil takes grip in their land, and democracy, freedom and liberties canned, fighting tides and head winds as they travel with others, who have similar tales of opportunities smothered, with hope and belief that the city of Berlin, will be their spring board, and allow them to swim.

The brave and courageous story of the tenacious Mardini sisters and their cousin Nizar, as they make the perilous journey from Syria to Germany in search of a new life and for one, the hope to swim at the Rio Olympics. Beautifully performances and genuinely inspiring.

Started to watch this film without knowing anything about it, only that it was trending at number 3 on Netflix. I usually switch films off with subtitles but something about this one lured me in. The balance of spoken English and subtitles actually worked for me as the film is about people attempting to cross International borders not all of them speaking the same language.

I was, from the title expecting to see a story about 2 sisters training to be Olympic swimmers. And yes it is, but it's not a feel good story, it is the remarkable true story of a refugee achieving an Olympic dream. Living in my cosy U. K. bubble I had no concept of living in a war torn country and how that drives young people to risk their lives in order that their families can seek refuge in other countries and it has really opened my eyes.

Lesbos was one of my favourite holiday destinations but in the last decade I have begrudgingly avoided it because of refugees landing on it's beaches . I now feel humbled after watching the harrowing depiction of the 'boat' journey. Part way through I almost stopped watching as their journey made me feel more and more uncomfortable as this wasn't going to be a story with a completely happy ending.

There is also an insight into the conditions that refugees live in once they have arrived in Germany. Although not ideal thank goodness there are compassionate countries.

The film felt authentic as there were no big stars in the cast and it seemed credible that they were refugees (the only actor I recognised was the one who played a good looking Doctor in The Good Karma Hospital).

I think there should be more films made from the point of view of refugees as their story needs to be told.

Had the privilege to attend the European premier of the movie which will come to Netflix on 23rd of November. The movie is a very nicely paced dramatization of an amazing human achievement and story, it's amazing because of the nature how far they came along and its amazingly human because they've did it sheerly as human beings nothing more. You could even profanely say as "superheroes" to quote the movie directly. Nothing super fancy directing and editing here, just purely nice narration and sequencing of events dramatization and this is being done nicely by the director Sally El Hosaini. But the real magic and chemistry lies between the two lead actresses Manal and Nathalie Issa who are siblings in real life as well not just on the screen; this chemistry between them gives you the passionate punch which delivers effectively indeed. This movie is definitely an underdog testament, a very good one.

This movie touched me deeply. The Swimmers is a story about humanity, perseverance, love and hope. About family. In the realest way. The fact that all of this happened is unbelievable, and the fact it happened and keeps happening so much (meaning war and refugees) is heartbreaking to me. In our western world we tend to forget. So I'm grateful for this movie to bring forward this message. Even more grateful to have done this in such a beautiful and respectful way. The script is amazing, the cinematography is amazing and so are the actors. This is my first IMBd review and I just had to write it.