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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline SEPTEMBER 09, 2022 | The Indian Eye 22

Swimmers is a film about courage

and determination

RENU MEHTA far from over.
Nathalie Issa and Manal Issa,
Toronto
sisters in real life, deliver outstand-
he Gala film – Swimmers - ing performances as Yusra and Sara
had its world premiere at the telling their story of love for each
TToronto International Film other, family and their compassion
Festival (TIFF) and was the opening for fellow refugees. Once they arrive
night film of the festival. Swimmers in Germany, their fortunes begin to
is a must see tale of two sisters who look brighter in Europe when they
leave their war torn country Syria as meet up with swim coach Sven Span-
refugees for a better life in Germany nekrebs (Matthias Schweighöfer)
The 134 minute film by Sally El Ho- who sees Yusra’s potential and gets
saini is an emotional story of courage, her to participate in the refugee
perseverance and determination and Olympic swim team.
their inspiring reach for a better life. The powerful storytelling is an
“I’m ecstatic. What an honour emotional portrayal of their real life
and privilege to open TIFF with the story, describing the fierce love of
inspirational true-life story of the the sisters for each other and their
Mardini sisters,” said director El Ho- determination to fulfill their dreams
saini. “A city as multicultural and di- amidst unspeakable adversity.
verse as Toronto is the perfect place Suliman) since childhood, having they escape to Turkey. From there, “I was so emotional when I saw
to debut our film that elevates the pursued rigorous training. It is their they board a small boat teeming with the film,” said an audience member
visibility and voice of refugees, re- father’s dream that they participate in fellow refugees to cross a stretch of at the Princess of Wales theatre on
minding us that the human capacity the Olympics. By 2015, with Syria’s the Mediterranean sea. When the September 8. “The film provides a
to survive is stronger than most of us civil war escalating, their dreams of engine of the boat fails in the middle deeper insight and understanding
know.” Olympic gold are quickly fading and of the sea, the two sisters plunge into into the plight of refugees. I couldn’t
Yusra and Sara are national they decide to risk the unsafe and ter- the deep water and pull the boat to stop crying.”
swimming champions in Syria where rifying journey to Europe. Accompa- safety after a long and death defying Certainly an inspiring film worth
they are trained by their father (Ali nied by their cousin (Ahmed Malek), swimming feat. But their journey is watching!

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