The Swimmers

The Swimmers: Behind the Scenes of the Inspiring True Story

Netflix’s The Swimmers (2022) dives into the harrowing yet triumphant journey of Syrian refugee sisters Yusra and Sarah Mardini, who fled war-torn Damascus and swam for their lives across the Aegean Sea before Yusra competed in the 2016 Olympics. Directed by Sally El Hosaini, the film blends raw drama with athletic intensity, latestnetflix.com maintains, but the real story behind its making is just as compelling.

Real-Life Yusra Mardini’s Reaction to the Film

One of the most revealing moments came when the real Yusra Mardini watched the film for the first time. In a Netflix featurette, she admitted to feeling "overwhelmed" by Nathalie Issa’s portrayal of her younger self. "It’s strange to see your life played out on screen," Yusra said, praising the film’s emotional accuracy . While the movie takes creative liberties—condensing timelines and dramatizing certain events—Yusra confirmed that the core struggle of displacement and resilience was faithfully captured .

The Issa Sisters: From Audition to Breakout Roles

Nathalie and Manal Issa, who play Yusra and Sarah Mardini respectively, weren’t just cast for their acting chops—they also brought personal connections to the story. Nathalie, a French-Lebanese actress, had no professional acting experience before landing the lead role. Director Sally El Hosaini revealed in a TIFF Q&A that Nathalie’s raw vulnerability in her audition stood out. "She had this quiet strength that felt like Yusra," El Hosaini said . Manal, meanwhile, had prior acting credits but faced the challenge of embodying Sarah’s rebellious spirit while balancing the film’s emotional weight.

The sisters’ real-life bond added authenticity to their on-screen chemistry. In interviews, they described the shoot as both exhilarating and exhausting, particularly during the film’s grueling swimming sequences. Nathalie, who had to train extensively for the role, admitted that filming the Aegean Sea crossing scene was physically and emotionally draining .

Sally El Hosaini’s Vision: Balancing Drama and Realism

El Hosaini, known for her work on My Brother the Devil (2012), was determined to avoid a sanitized refugee narrative. In behind-the-scenes interviews, she emphasized the importance of showing the sisters’ flaws, humor, and moments of doubt—not just their heroism. "I didn’t want to make a film about victims," she said. "These are young women who loved pop music, selfies, and swimming. Their journey was extraordinary, but they were still ordinary girls" .

The director also revealed that some of the film’s most intense scenes—like the capsized boat sequence—were shot in a studio tank with real refugees as extras. "We wanted the fear to feel real," El Hosaini explained, noting that many of the background actors had lived through similar experiences .

What the Critics (and Audiences) Thought

The Swimmers earned a solid 7.1/10 on SensCritique, with praise for its emotional depth and the Issa sisters’ performances . Rotten Tomatoes doesn’t provide a critic score in the snippet, but the cast’s portrayal of the Mardini sisters was widely highlighted as a standout . While some reviews noted the film’s occasional melodrama, most agreed that its heart and urgency outweighed any flaws.

Unanswered Questions

Despite the film’s success, a few details remain murky. For instance, there’s no confirmation on whether the real Yusra and Sarah Mardini were directly involved in the production beyond consulting. Rumors also swirled about potential tensions between the cast and crew during the physically demanding shoot, but no credible sources have substantiated these claims.

One thing is clear: The Swimmers isn’t just a sports biopic—it’s a testament to survival, sisterhood, and the unshakable will to keep moving forward.