This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
The Swimmers (Turkish: Yüzücüler) is a 2022 biographical drama film based on true events. The film tells the story of two sisters, Sara and Yusra Mardini, who fled war-torn Syria and undertook a perilous journey to reach Europe, ultimately qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics. The film explores themes such as the refugee crisis, female solidarity, and sport as a vehicle of hope.
The film depicts the journey of sisters Sara and Yusra Mardini, professional swimmers who escaped Syria due to civil war and endured dangerous challenges on their path to Europe. When the motor of their refugee boat failed while crossing the Aegean Sea, the sisters jumped into the water and pushed the vessel to safety using their swimming skills, an act of bravery that brought them to global attention. After arriving in Germany, Yusra’s participation in the Rio 2016 Olympics as a refugee athlete marks the film’s climax.
The Swimmers Film Trailer (Netflix Türkiye)

Cast members of The Swimmers: Ahmed Malek, Nathalie Issa and Manal Issa (IMDb)
Beyazperde. "The Swimmers." Beyazperde. Accessed July 5, 2025. https://www.beyazperde.com/filmler/film-292214/.
IMDb. "The Swimmers - Awards." IMDb. Accessed July 5, 2025. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8745676/awards/?ref_=tt_awd.
Sinemalar. "The Swimmers Oyuncuları." Sinemalar.com. Accessed July 5, 2025. https://www.sinemalar.com/oyuncular/265520/the-swimmers.
Plot
Cast
Awards and Nominations