The eagerly anticipated film adaptation of the heroic true story of two Syrian sisters who saved refugees from drowning will have its European premiere in Switzerland next month.
Sally El Hosaini’s drama The Swimmers follows the journey of Yusra and Sara Mardini from war-torn Syria to the 2016 Rio Olympics after using their swimming skills to save lives following a treacherous boat journey at sea.
The feature from the Egyptian-Welsh filmmaker will open the 18th Zurich Film Festival on September 22, following its world premiere at the opening night of the Toronto International Film Festival 2022 in Canada on September 8.
Co-written by Jack Thorne (of Help, Enola Holmes and Wonder fame), The Swimmers is produced by British creative outfit Working Title Films and Netflix. It was shot in the UK, Belgium and Turkey.
El Hosaini said she was thrilled to share the “extraordinary true life story” of refugees with a European audience at a time of growing anti-immigration sentiment on the continent.
“Never has there been such an important time for Europeans to see a film that elevates the visibility of refugees and honours those who risk their lives to have a better, safer life,” the filmmaker said.
Calling the film “deeply moving and timely”, The Swimmers’ artistic director Christian Jungen said it shone a light on the refugee crisis while also being “uplifting and inspiring”.
The Mardini sisters fled Syria in 2015 after their house was destroyed in the civil war, making their way first to neighbouring Lebanon and on to Turkey, where they arranged to be smuggled into Greece by dinghy.
They became internationally recognised heroines when, in the middle of the Aegean Sea, the motor of the overcrowded dinghy they were on cut out 15 minutes into the trip and the sisters swam for three and a half hours holding the boat up to stop it from capsizing.
They later settled in Germany, where Yusra started training again with coach Sven Spannekrebs before competing at the 2016 Olympic Games as part of the Refugee Olympic Team.
Lebanese actresses Manal and Nathalie Issa, who are sisters in real life, portray Yusra and Sarah in the film.
Ali Suliman, Ahmed Malek, Kinda Alloush and James Krishna Floyd, who also appeared in El Hosaini’s multi-award-winning My Brother the Devil, will star in the film.
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Ultra processed foods
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
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Director: Navdeep Singh
Stars: Saif Ali Khan, Manav Vij, Deepak Dobriyal, Zoya Hussain
Rating: 2/5
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
