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Cue the waterworks because Netflix’s The Swimmers is here to make you cry

Cue the waterworks because Netflix’s The Swimmers is here to make you cry

The film is based on the real story of two Syrian refugee sisters, Yusra and Sarah Mardini, who fled their war-torn country for a new life in Europe.
29 Nov, 2022

If you thought Netflix was done releasing some killer series and films for the year, you thought wrong. We have another recommendation for you — The Swimmers by Sally El Hossaini.

The film is based on the real story of two Syrian refugee sisters, Yusra and Sarah Mardini. They fled war-torn Syria with their cousin Nizar for a new life in Europe, one that fulfils Yusra and her father Ezzat Mardini’s dream to represent Syria at the Olympics. Yusra became the first member of refugee team at summer games in 2016.

The movie starts with a scene of a swimming club in the heart of Damascus, Syria where locals of all different ages enjoy a sunny day by the pool, including the Mardini sisters, who time themselves by holding their breath under water. The scene cuts to the sisters returning home for Yusra’s birthday celebration while Sarah switches the news channel to stay updated with the state of Syrian regime.

The movie has been taking over our timelines and has a lot of people emotional.

Jemima Goldsmith took to Twitter and shared that she has “never cried” so much watching any film ever and lauded the film director.

TV show host Fakhr-e-Alam tweeted some information about refugees and said the film gave “a partial glimpse into the pain of refugees”.

Another user found the film “heart touching” and tagged the Mardini sisters to tell them how inspiring they are.

It left some people in tears of gratitude for life.

Some called it a “masterpiece”.

Others shared that it’s trending in Turkey.

For this user, the film was an “alternative perspective” on forced migration that challenged the rhetoric by mass media in the west.

This user reminded everyone that like Yusra and Sarah, there are “people living this painful reality” every day. “Syria, Ukraine, Afghanistan, the list goes on. We need change,” he wrote.

The film is currently trending on Netflix in Pakistan on number four and has received a 7.4 rating on IMDb and 79 per cent Rotten Tomatoes. It stars sisters Nathalie and Manal Issa as Yusra and Sarah Mardini, Matthias Schweighöfer as Sven, Ahmed Malek as Nizar, Syrian actor Kinda Alloush as Mervat Mardini and Palestinian actor Ali Suliman as Ezzat Mardini.

The Swimmers hit selective theatres around the world on November 23 and is currently available on Netflix.

Comments

Sheila kijawani Nov 29, 2022 04:11pm
Honestly didn’t know that Netflix was popular in Pakistan? Why would anyone want to pay for streaming when you have best free entertainment..Pakistani news!!
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Nov 29, 2022 05:12pm
Who cares?
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Usman Nov 29, 2022 08:28pm
@Sheila Kijawani, careful there; your ultra right wing nationalism is showing. Wonderful to hear about this movie. Any movie that shines a light on not only the plight but triumphs of refugees is worth a watch.
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wasim Nov 30, 2022 01:20am
This is a story of every other Pakistani - from Pakistan.
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GreenAura Nov 30, 2022 02:16am
Indians on Twitter and their crocodile tears could fill an Olympic size swimming pool.
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Cheema Nov 30, 2022 05:27am
Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad: "Who cares?" Apparently you care. Otherwise you would not have commented on the story?
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