The Swimmers

This soaring epic dramatises the true story of two sisters who left their home in war-torn Syria for a new life in Europe — and the chance to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

An epic adventure drawn from the most pressing of global stories, The Swimmers tells the remarkable true tale of 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. Directed by Sally El Hosaini (My Brother the Devil) and written by Jack Thorne (TIFF ’19’s The Aeronauts), this is a moving story of two young women refugees, and their inspiring reach for a better life.

Propelled by gripping events and El Hosaini’s powerfully cinematic storytelling, The Swimmers is a testament to perseverance in the face of unspeakable adversity. But the heart of the film is the relationship between two sisters, fiercely holding onto life, and their love for each other.