Syrian refugee swimmer Yusra Mardini, who almost drowned at sea while fleeing her war-torn country before competing in two Olympic Games, hopes a new film about her life will help other displaced people.
Yusra, 24, believes The Swimmers, which chronicles the perilous journey across Europe she and older sister Sarah took in 2015, has “an amazing message” that will leave viewers with “joy, hope, tears, sadness “ will mediate.
The dramatization, which is currently showing in some UK, US and German cinemas before releasing worldwide on Netflix next Wednesday, shows the pair leaving their parents and younger sister in Syria to seek refuge in Germany .
Once there, Yusra managed to resume swimming training and qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics, five years later as part of the refugee team for the Tokyo Games.
“When we decided to make this film … we wanted to see an impact,” she told audiences at a screening of the film in London this week.
“It is very important that this film shows what a real refugee is really like. We want to be DJs. We want to be architects in the western world.”
The 134-minute film, set to a pulsing soundtrack featuring artists including Australian singer Sia and Arabic music, chronicles the sisters’ near-death experience as they crossed the Aegean Sea in a damaged inflatable boat that was taking on water.
On the treacherous voyage from Izmir, Turkey, to the Greek island of Lesvos, the tiny ship, which is carrying nearly 20 people instead of the half dozen it was designed for, is in danger of capsizing after its engine failed.
– ‘Safe place’ –
The sisters, who were among the few on board who could swim, dove into the water for several hours to try and take the weight off the stricken inflatable boat before it finally made it to shore.
“It was really, really scary for us, even if we’re swimmers,” Yusra recalled, adding that her biggest concern was a child in the dinghy — despite being only 17 herself.
“It’s the sea. It’s not the pool and you don’t know what to do.”
During the dramatic journey, the film shows her telling another refugee: “Swimming is my home. This is where I belong” and prophesies that one day she will compete in the Olympics.
Eventually, Yusra reached Berlin, joined a swimming club, and met the coach who helps her make that dream come true.
“The pool was my safe place, even in Germany,” she explained, noting that it helped her “adjust.”
“I’ve met so many people and they’ve kind of become family to me. I’m still in the swimming club today.”
The Mardini siblings entrusted their remarkable story to British writer Jack Thorne and Welsh-Egyptian director Sally El Hosaini, while real-life Franco-Lebanese sisters Nathalie and Manal Issa played it on screen.
Yusra described the actresses as her “doubles,” but noted that they brought their own perspectives as well.
“You are from Lebanon. You understand what we’ve been through. And I think that was very, very important.
“They did a great job and they played the role as themselves and not us, but they honored us,” she said.
– ‘Strong Voice’ –
The Mardini sisters were reunited with their parents and youngest sibling after settling in Germany and the family now lives there.
However, Sarah and scores of other humanitarian activists face criminal charges in Greece – including espionage, forgery and supporting a criminal organization – over allegations of helping migrants cross the Aegean Sea.
The 27-year-old, also a former competitive swimmer, had returned to Lesvos as a volunteer and was said to be a member of the non-profit search and rescue group Emergency Response Center International (ERCI), which operated there from 2016 to 2018.
“It was so difficult for her,” Yusra said, adding that her older sister was recently allowed back into Greece while the case is ongoing.
“These charges were not fair and she faces up to 25 years in prison – not just herself but others as well. And these people were just volunteers.
“We’re just trying to help refugees and it’s just so sad.”
The Greek embassy in London did not respond to a request for comment.
During her performance in London, Yusra – who has been a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador since 2017 – also revealed that she had allayed initial doubts about being part of the refugee Olympic team.
“I realized that it’s not just about me anymore… It’s about refugees. It’s about representing them.
“After that I got such a strong voice and I was like, ‘You know what? Why don’t you use them?’”
