South Korean director Hong Sang-soo was awarded the El Gouna Gold Star for best narrative film for his meditation on art and relationships, “In Our Day,” as the delayed edition of the El Gouna Film Festival held its closing ceremony on Thursday. The Italian animated film “A Greyhound of a Girl,” directed by Enzo D’Alò, and the Brazilian director Guto Parente’s “A Strange Path” picked up the Silver and Bronze Stars respectively.
The jury comprised of Indian director Anup Singh, Jordanian actress Saba Mubarak, Palestinian actress Yasmine Al-Massri, French Lebanese actress Manal Issa and Egyptian filmmaker Omar El Zohairy.
In the non-fiction category, Ibrahim Nash’at’s acclaimed documentary “Hollywoodgate” took the top prize, with “Seven Winters in Tehran” and Mila Turajlić’s Serbian film “Non-Aligned: Scenes from the Labudović Reels” sharing the Silver Star, and “On the Adamant,” directed by French director Nicolas Philibert, taking the Bronze Star. The...
The jury comprised of Indian director Anup Singh, Jordanian actress Saba Mubarak, Palestinian actress Yasmine Al-Massri, French Lebanese actress Manal Issa and Egyptian filmmaker Omar El Zohairy.
In the non-fiction category, Ibrahim Nash’at’s acclaimed documentary “Hollywoodgate” took the top prize, with “Seven Winters in Tehran” and Mila Turajlić’s Serbian film “Non-Aligned: Scenes from the Labudović Reels” sharing the Silver Star, and “On the Adamant,” directed by French director Nicolas Philibert, taking the Bronze Star. The...
- 12/22/2023
- by John Bleasdale
- Variety Film + TV
The 6th edition of the El Gouna Film Festival (Gff) has wrapped with a feeling of quiet triumph. The glitz and celebrities were largely absent, although Egyptian star Yousra and legendary French actor Christophe Lambert both appeared at In Conversation events. But in a way, this allowed festival organizers to better focus on the core values which they wish to take forward.
For artistic director Marianne Khoury, the mission was clear, though the challenges were extraordinary, even before the horrific attacks on Israel on Oct. 7. “I joined in June, so it was quite a crazy summer where we’re working almost every day. Then on the 10th October, we decided to postpone. So it was very overwhelming. Since then, we were on hold every day. We wanted this edition to take place before the year end.”
Better late than never; better small than not at all
With the 2022 edition already having been canceled,...
For artistic director Marianne Khoury, the mission was clear, though the challenges were extraordinary, even before the horrific attacks on Israel on Oct. 7. “I joined in June, so it was quite a crazy summer where we’re working almost every day. Then on the 10th October, we decided to postpone. So it was very overwhelming. Since then, we were on hold every day. We wanted this edition to take place before the year end.”
Better late than never; better small than not at all
With the 2022 edition already having been canceled,...
- 12/21/2023
- by John Bleasdale
- Variety Film + TV
Get in touch to send in cinephile news and discoveries. For regular updates, sign up for our weekly email newsletter and follow us @NotebookMUBI.NEWSCapital.The Palestinian Film Institute and several prominent filmmakers—including Sky Hopinka, Miko Revereza, Maryam Tafakory, Charlie Shackleton, and Basma al-Sharif—have withdrawn from the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam in response to the festival’s messaging about the war in Gaza. On the festival’s opening night, a group of activists took to the stage holding a banner that read “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”; on November 10, IDFA published a statement apologizing to patrons who may have been offended by this “hurtful slogan.” On November 11, the Pfi and the advocacy group Workers for Palestine Netherlands announced their withdrawal from IDFA: “As the world’s largest documentary film festival, IDFA holds the responsibility to respond to the plight of journalists and documentarians on the ground in Gaza,...
- 11/16/2023
- MUBI
Black Box (2023) kicks off with a simple but interesting opening scene which sets the tone for the rest of the film. Director Asli Özge does not waste any time in introducing us to many characters in a short period of time. She starts setting up the different pieces of the film and reveals them in layers one by one. Black Box is a claustrophobic, fast-paced drama that paints a stark picture of the lives of residents in an apartment building in Berlin.
The film starts with a tall construction crane moving a glass structure into the backyard of an apartment building. We later know that it belongs to a management company and the landlord Johannes Horn (Felix Kramer) plans to use it as his new office. The next day police blocked the entrance to the building prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving the building. The residents begin to question Horn...
The film starts with a tall construction crane moving a glass structure into the backyard of an apartment building. We later know that it belongs to a management company and the landlord Johannes Horn (Felix Kramer) plans to use it as his new office. The next day police blocked the entrance to the building prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving the building. The residents begin to question Horn...
- 10/24/2023
- by Prem
- Talking Films
Asli Özge’s film opened the New German Cinema section at Munich
Screen can reveal the trailer for Asli Özge’s Black Box, the opening film of the New German Cinema section at this week’s Munich Film Festival.
Black Box sees a security lockdown put the residents of a Berlin apartment block under increasing pressure, in a film described by Screen reviewer Amber Wilkinson as a “tense ensemble drama.”
The cast includes Luise Heyer, Felix Kramer, Christian Berkel, Timur Magomedgadzhiev, Manal Issa, André Szymanski, Sascha Alexander Geršak, Jonathan Berlin and Anne Ratte-Polle
Black Box is a production of Zeitsprung Pictures...
Screen can reveal the trailer for Asli Özge’s Black Box, the opening film of the New German Cinema section at this week’s Munich Film Festival.
Black Box sees a security lockdown put the residents of a Berlin apartment block under increasing pressure, in a film described by Screen reviewer Amber Wilkinson as a “tense ensemble drama.”
The cast includes Luise Heyer, Felix Kramer, Christian Berkel, Timur Magomedgadzhiev, Manal Issa, André Szymanski, Sascha Alexander Geršak, Jonathan Berlin and Anne Ratte-Polle
Black Box is a production of Zeitsprung Pictures...
- 6/30/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Asli Özge’s film opened the New German Cinema section at Munich
Screen can reveal the trailer for Asli Özge’s Black Box, the opening film of the New German Cinema section at this week’s Munich Film Festival.
Black Box sees a security lockdown put the residents of a Berlin apartment block under increasing pressure, in a film described by Screen reviewer Amber Wilkinson as a “tense ensemble drama.”
The cast includes Luise Heyer, Felix Kramer, Christian Berkel, Timur Magomedgadzhiev, Manal Issa, André Szymanski, Sascha Alexander Geršak, Jonathan Berlin and Anne Ratte-Polle
Black Box is a production of Zeitsprung Pictures...
Screen can reveal the trailer for Asli Özge’s Black Box, the opening film of the New German Cinema section at this week’s Munich Film Festival.
Black Box sees a security lockdown put the residents of a Berlin apartment block under increasing pressure, in a film described by Screen reviewer Amber Wilkinson as a “tense ensemble drama.”
The cast includes Luise Heyer, Felix Kramer, Christian Berkel, Timur Magomedgadzhiev, Manal Issa, André Szymanski, Sascha Alexander Geršak, Jonathan Berlin and Anne Ratte-Polle
Black Box is a production of Zeitsprung Pictures...
- 6/30/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
Many cinephiles had high expectations for “The Swimmers,” Sally El-Hosaini’s Netflix film about two Olympic swimmers and their harrowing experience migrating from Syria to Germany. But the film received largely negative reviews following its premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.
IndieWire’s Ryan Lattanzio wrote: “At nearly two and a half hours, Netflix’s Syrian migrant drama ‘The Swimmers’ is a long sit that goes to extraordinary efforts — from a treacly score to constant reminders that its protagonists are, you know, swimmers — to try and make you feel good, or at least feel anything. The problem is that the audience isn’t taken by the same rah-rah spiritedness that director Sally El-Hosaini sets out to achieve, partially through overheated use of the pop-powered anthems of Sia. Who knew that radio-friendly hits like ‘Titanium’ and ‘Unstoppable’ could serve as potent theme songs for a drama about a pair of...
IndieWire’s Ryan Lattanzio wrote: “At nearly two and a half hours, Netflix’s Syrian migrant drama ‘The Swimmers’ is a long sit that goes to extraordinary efforts — from a treacly score to constant reminders that its protagonists are, you know, swimmers — to try and make you feel good, or at least feel anything. The problem is that the audience isn’t taken by the same rah-rah spiritedness that director Sally El-Hosaini sets out to achieve, partially through overheated use of the pop-powered anthems of Sia. Who knew that radio-friendly hits like ‘Titanium’ and ‘Unstoppable’ could serve as potent theme songs for a drama about a pair of...
- 12/31/2022
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
The Swimmers is a saga of grit and determination arising out of a desire to escape the conflict zone of Syria by two sisters and pursue the passions of their lie. The topic chosen is contextual- the aspiration of citizens caught in zones of conflict to try to escape it and have a meaningful life without a morbid fear of looming death in myriad formats looming over the shoulders.
Sportspersons have the burning desire continuously simmering below their skins, to make a mark of their prowess in their chosen fields and announce their arrival through a public arena and create a spectacle. The Swimmers is a gritty tale of two sisters Yusra Mardini and Sara Mardini, enacted by two real life sisters- Natahie Issa and Manal Issa, who try and escape the conflict zone of war in their backyard in Syria and arrive in Germany to aspire to lead a...
Sportspersons have the burning desire continuously simmering below their skins, to make a mark of their prowess in their chosen fields and announce their arrival through a public arena and create a spectacle. The Swimmers is a gritty tale of two sisters Yusra Mardini and Sara Mardini, enacted by two real life sisters- Natahie Issa and Manal Issa, who try and escape the conflict zone of war in their backyard in Syria and arrive in Germany to aspire to lead a...
- 12/11/2022
- by Nalin Rai
- GlamSham
Here’s the latest episode of the The Filmmakers Podcast, part of the ever-growing podcast roster here on Nerdly. If you haven’t heard the show yet, you can check out previous episodes on the official podcast site, whilst we’ll be featuring each and every new episode as it premieres.
For those unfamiliar with the series, The Filmmakers Podcast is a podcast about how to make films from micro budget indie films to bigger budget studio films and everything in-between. Our hosts Giles Alderson, Dan Richardson, Andrew Rodger and Cristian James talk how to get films made, how to actually make them and how to try not to f… it up in their very humble opinion. Guests will come on and chat about their film making experiences from directors, writers, producers, screenwriters, actors, cinematographers and distributors.
The Filmmaker’s Podcast #308: Sally El Hosaini – How to make an award-winning...
For those unfamiliar with the series, The Filmmakers Podcast is a podcast about how to make films from micro budget indie films to bigger budget studio films and everything in-between. Our hosts Giles Alderson, Dan Richardson, Andrew Rodger and Cristian James talk how to get films made, how to actually make them and how to try not to f… it up in their very humble opinion. Guests will come on and chat about their film making experiences from directors, writers, producers, screenwriters, actors, cinematographers and distributors.
The Filmmaker’s Podcast #308: Sally El Hosaini – How to make an award-winning...
- 11/28/2022
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
On 18 March 2011, protests in Syria came to a violent head after peaceful demonstrators in the southwestern city of Daraa were fired at by armed forces. Three people were killed. That month marked the beginning of a brutal, multi-sided civil war that has since displaced more than 13 million people. Yusra Mardini is one of those people.
Mardini was 13 years old and living in the capital of Damascus when war broke out in her home country. Before then, she had enjoyed a regular life. She spent time with her family and partied with friends on the city’s rooftops. She also swam competitively. Four years after the fighting erupted, Mardini, aged just 17, and her sister, Sara, left for Germany to flee the continuous and indiscriminate violence that blighted their home.
When the motor of the rubber dinghy carrying them and 16 other refugees suddenly stopped in the middle of the Aegean Sea, Sara...
Mardini was 13 years old and living in the capital of Damascus when war broke out in her home country. Before then, she had enjoyed a regular life. She spent time with her family and partied with friends on the city’s rooftops. She also swam competitively. Four years after the fighting erupted, Mardini, aged just 17, and her sister, Sara, left for Germany to flee the continuous and indiscriminate violence that blighted their home.
When the motor of the rubber dinghy carrying them and 16 other refugees suddenly stopped in the middle of the Aegean Sea, Sara...
- 11/24/2022
- by Furvah Shah
- The Independent - Film
The Swimmers is a 2022 biographical drama movie directed by Sally El Hosaini starring Manal Issa and Nathalie Issa.
A powerful movie in its sincerity. It is impossible not be moved by this film that tells a story of the incredible strength and resilience of its protagonists. With its social-realism and documentary techniques in some sequences, it shows us the harshness of the reality of many, as well as giving us a beautiful story about resilience.
Premise
Two heroic young sisters set out on a voyage that will require resilience and conviction. They leave behind a war-torn Syria, intent on proving to the world their swimming skills they are selected to compete in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The Swimmers (2022) Movie Review
A movie that counts on a potent screenplay that is well developed providing us not only the story the two brave sisters, but also a good depiction of the context they...
A powerful movie in its sincerity. It is impossible not be moved by this film that tells a story of the incredible strength and resilience of its protagonists. With its social-realism and documentary techniques in some sequences, it shows us the harshness of the reality of many, as well as giving us a beautiful story about resilience.
Premise
Two heroic young sisters set out on a voyage that will require resilience and conviction. They leave behind a war-torn Syria, intent on proving to the world their swimming skills they are selected to compete in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The Swimmers (2022) Movie Review
A movie that counts on a potent screenplay that is well developed providing us not only the story the two brave sisters, but also a good depiction of the context they...
- 11/23/2022
- by Veronica Loop
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
This review originally ran September 8, 2022, in conjunction with the film’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The last decade has seen a plethora of movies about the crisis in Syria, most of them hard-hitting documentaries tracking the brutal effects of the war and the plight of those who’ve left and those who’ve stayed. At the same time, there’s never been a shortage of inspirational sports films where plucky athletes overcome obstacles to realize their dreams.
But “The Swimmers,” which opened the Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday, is a rare mixture of the two: It’s an inspirational sports movie about a pair of Syrian swimmers, sisters Yusra and Sara Mardini, who fled from their home in Damascus during the Syrian civil war in 2015 to Europe, where they might have a chance to advance their athletic careers and swim in the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The last decade has seen a plethora of movies about the crisis in Syria, most of them hard-hitting documentaries tracking the brutal effects of the war and the plight of those who’ve left and those who’ve stayed. At the same time, there’s never been a shortage of inspirational sports films where plucky athletes overcome obstacles to realize their dreams.
But “The Swimmers,” which opened the Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday, is a rare mixture of the two: It’s an inspirational sports movie about a pair of Syrian swimmers, sisters Yusra and Sara Mardini, who fled from their home in Damascus during the Syrian civil war in 2015 to Europe, where they might have a chance to advance their athletic careers and swim in the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.
- 11/22/2022
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Plot: Based on a true story, follows the journey from war-torn Syria to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Two young sisters embark on a harrowing journey as refugees, putting both their hearts and champion swimming skills to heroic use.
Review: I will be honest and say I was jaded going into The Swimmers. Countless films have been made over the years about characters facing adversity in the form of war, abuse, and crime as well as underdog tales about athletes overcoming insurmountable odds to reach the pinnacle of their sport. In both cases, movies about either story have a tendency to be overwrought or disingenuous. Sally El Hosaini’s The Swimmers is neither of those things. Managing to bridge both narratives to tell a refugee story that is also a sports movie, this film is as inspiring as it is gut-wrenching as it makes you cheer for the characters to persevere against...
Review: I will be honest and say I was jaded going into The Swimmers. Countless films have been made over the years about characters facing adversity in the form of war, abuse, and crime as well as underdog tales about athletes overcoming insurmountable odds to reach the pinnacle of their sport. In both cases, movies about either story have a tendency to be overwrought or disingenuous. Sally El Hosaini’s The Swimmers is neither of those things. Managing to bridge both narratives to tell a refugee story that is also a sports movie, this film is as inspiring as it is gut-wrenching as it makes you cheer for the characters to persevere against...
- 11/22/2022
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
The Swimmers is a 2022 drama movie directed by Sally El Hosaini starring Manal Issa and Nathalie Issa.
Premise
From war-torn Syria to the 2016 Rio Olympics, two young sisters embark on a risky voyage, putting their hearts and their swimming skills to heroic use.
Release Date
November 23, 2022.
Where to Watch The Swimmers
Netflix
Cast
Manal Issa / Sarah Mardini
Nathalie Issa / Yusra Mardini
Matthias Schweighöfer / Sven
Ali Suliman / Ezzat Mardini
James Floyd / Emad
Ahmed Malek / Nizar
Kinda Alloush / Mervat Mardini
Nahel Tzegai / Shada
Carlotta De Gregori / Marlena Kristov (Olympic swimmer)
Victoria Valcheva / Kostana
See full credits >>...
Premise
From war-torn Syria to the 2016 Rio Olympics, two young sisters embark on a risky voyage, putting their hearts and their swimming skills to heroic use.
Release Date
November 23, 2022.
Where to Watch The Swimmers
Netflix
Cast
Manal Issa / Sarah Mardini
Nathalie Issa / Yusra Mardini
Matthias Schweighöfer / Sven
Ali Suliman / Ezzat Mardini
James Floyd / Emad
Ahmed Malek / Nizar
Kinda Alloush / Mervat Mardini
Nahel Tzegai / Shada
Carlotta De Gregori / Marlena Kristov (Olympic swimmer)
Victoria Valcheva / Kostana
See full credits >>...
- 11/20/2022
- by Veronica Loop
- Martin Cid Magazine - Movies
New Netflix production The Swimmers tells the remarkable true story of two Syrian sisters who defied the odds and fled a war-torn nation to experience great success, leading the younger of the two to the Olympic Games in Rio. To mark the film’s release we had the pleasure of speaking to real-life sisters Manal and Nathalie Issa, who play the aforementioned siblings, as well as German actor Matthias Schweighöfer, and writer/director Sally El Hosaini. Be sure to watch both interviews in their entirety below as we delve into this powerfully pertinent, yet hopeful drama, looking into the themes explored, and the profound impact this film has.
Manal Issa, Nathalie Issa & Matthias Schweighöfer
Sally El Hosaini
Synopsis
Two Syrian sisters flee their war-torn home in Damascus, swim for hours in choppy Mediterranean seas to reach Greece as asylum seekers before going on to compete at the Rio Olympic Games.
Manal Issa, Nathalie Issa & Matthias Schweighöfer
Sally El Hosaini
Synopsis
Two Syrian sisters flee their war-torn home in Damascus, swim for hours in choppy Mediterranean seas to reach Greece as asylum seekers before going on to compete at the Rio Olympic Games.
- 11/10/2022
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Netflix has debuted the trailer for Sally El Hosaini’s ‘The Swimmers.’
Based on a true story, The story follows the journey from war-torn Syria to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Two young sisters embark on a harrowing journey as refugees, putting both their hearts and champion swimming skills to heroic use.
Directed by Sally El Hosaini, the film stars Nathalie Issa (Yusra), Manal Issa (Sara), Matthias Schweighöfer (Sven), Ahmed Malek (Nizar), James Krishna Floyd (Emad), Nahel Tzegai (Shada) and Kinda Alloush (Mervat) with Ali Suliman (Ezzat).
Also in trailers – “You’re supposed to be in rehab…” Sheridan Smith stars in trailer for ‘Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything’
The film hits select cinemas on November 11 and on Netflix from November 23rd.
The post Trailer lands for Sally El Hosaini’s ‘The Swimmers’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
Based on a true story, The story follows the journey from war-torn Syria to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Two young sisters embark on a harrowing journey as refugees, putting both their hearts and champion swimming skills to heroic use.
Directed by Sally El Hosaini, the film stars Nathalie Issa (Yusra), Manal Issa (Sara), Matthias Schweighöfer (Sven), Ahmed Malek (Nizar), James Krishna Floyd (Emad), Nahel Tzegai (Shada) and Kinda Alloush (Mervat) with Ali Suliman (Ezzat).
Also in trailers – “You’re supposed to be in rehab…” Sheridan Smith stars in trailer for ‘Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything’
The film hits select cinemas on November 11 and on Netflix from November 23rd.
The post Trailer lands for Sally El Hosaini’s ‘The Swimmers’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.
- 11/2/2022
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
"Swim for me, for everyone who died trying to find a new life. Swim for all of us." Netflix has debuted the full trailer for The Swimmers, a true story movie made by a Welsh-Egyptian filmmaker named Sally El-Hosaini. This already premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last month, and will be out on Netflix later this month. From war-torn Syria to the 2016 Rio Olympics, two sisters embark on a harrowing journey as refugees, putting both their hearts and champion swimming skills to heroic use. Based on the true story of the miraculous journey made by swimming sisters Yusra & Sarah Mardini who fled as refugees from war-torn Syria all the way to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Starring Nathalie Issa (as Yusra) and Manal Issa (as Sara) as the two sisters, plus Matthias Schweighöfer, Ahmed Malek, James Krishna Floyd, Nahel Tzegai, with Kinda Alloush and Ali Suliman. Worth a watch! This really does look like a remarkable,...
- 11/1/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
You often hear that reality is often more amazing than any fiction. That’s exactly the case with the story that inspired the upcoming film, “The Swimmers.”
As seen in the trailer for “The Swimmers,” the film follows the incredible true story of two sisters who escaped Syria as refugees with dreams of one day competing in the Olympic Games as swimmers. The drama stars Nathalie Issa, Manal Issa, Matthias Schweighöfer, Ahmed Malek, James Krishna Floyd, Nahel Tzegai, Kinda Alloush, and Ali Suliman.
Continue reading ‘The Swimmers’ Trailer: Syrian Refugees Dream Of Olympic Gold In Sally El Hosaini’s Netflix Drama at The Playlist.
As seen in the trailer for “The Swimmers,” the film follows the incredible true story of two sisters who escaped Syria as refugees with dreams of one day competing in the Olympic Games as swimmers. The drama stars Nathalie Issa, Manal Issa, Matthias Schweighöfer, Ahmed Malek, James Krishna Floyd, Nahel Tzegai, Kinda Alloush, and Ali Suliman.
Continue reading ‘The Swimmers’ Trailer: Syrian Refugees Dream Of Olympic Gold In Sally El Hosaini’s Netflix Drama at The Playlist.
- 11/1/2022
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
On Thursday evening The Swimmers received a four minute standing ovation after its premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.
This soaring epic dramatizes the true story of two sisters who left their home in war-torn Syria for a new life in Europe — and the chance to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
An epic adventure drawn from the most pressing of global stories, The Swimmers tells the remarkable true tale of sisters Yusra and Sara Mardini, who fled their home in war-torn Damascus to seek a new life in Europe and earn the chance to compete in the Olympics. Directed by Sally El Hosaini (My Brother the Devil) and written by Jack Thorne (TIFF ’19’s The Aeronauts), this is a moving story of two young women refugees, and their inspiring reach for a better life.
The Hollywood Reporter’s Etan Vlessing writes: “It’s an inspirational story,” director El-Hosaini said...
This soaring epic dramatizes the true story of two sisters who left their home in war-torn Syria for a new life in Europe — and the chance to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
An epic adventure drawn from the most pressing of global stories, The Swimmers tells the remarkable true tale of sisters Yusra and Sara Mardini, who fled their home in war-torn Damascus to seek a new life in Europe and earn the chance to compete in the Olympics. Directed by Sally El Hosaini (My Brother the Devil) and written by Jack Thorne (TIFF ’19’s The Aeronauts), this is a moving story of two young women refugees, and their inspiring reach for a better life.
The Hollywood Reporter’s Etan Vlessing writes: “It’s an inspirational story,” director El-Hosaini said...
- 9/12/2022
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Click here to read the full article.
Fifteen years after I first came to the Toronto International Film Festival and saw Juno, Michael Clayton, Eastern Promises, Into the Wild and The Savages, among other excellent films, I’m happy, as always, to be back at the best fest north of the border, and hopeful, as always, to match the high bar set by my first visit to it. Rather than rush to file separate write-ups of every noteworthy thing that I see and hear while on the ground here, at the cost of missing other noteworthy things, I’ve decided to file a dispatch every few days addressing a bunch of stuff. This initial piece covers the fest’s first three days.
* * *
After flying in on Wednesday morning (my seatmate on the flight from L.A. was none other than the NBA legend Dwayne Wade, who was accompanying his wife,...
Fifteen years after I first came to the Toronto International Film Festival and saw Juno, Michael Clayton, Eastern Promises, Into the Wild and The Savages, among other excellent films, I’m happy, as always, to be back at the best fest north of the border, and hopeful, as always, to match the high bar set by my first visit to it. Rather than rush to file separate write-ups of every noteworthy thing that I see and hear while on the ground here, at the cost of missing other noteworthy things, I’ve decided to file a dispatch every few days addressing a bunch of stuff. This initial piece covers the fest’s first three days.
* * *
After flying in on Wednesday morning (my seatmate on the flight from L.A. was none other than the NBA legend Dwayne Wade, who was accompanying his wife,...
- 9/11/2022
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Five days before filmmaker Sally El Hosaini (My Brother the Devil) was ready to declare “Action, background action” on the set of The Swimmers, the film fell apart due to the pandemic. “We just thought it was curtains for the film, which was heartbreaking,” the director recalled. “It just came to a halt, and there could be no promises of anything for anyone.”
The film, which opened the Toronto Film Festival on Thursday night, had been set up at Working Title with backing from Focus Features.
Toronto Film Festival 2022 Photo Gallery: Daniel Radcliffe And Weird Al Yankovic; ‘The Swimmers’, ‘On The Come Up’, ‘Handmaid’s Tale’, More
It already was a bit of a gamble before Covid reared its head. The story of two sisters, Yusra and Sarah Mardini — who left war-torn Syria to make a perilous journey across the Aegean Sea to Eastern Europe, and then, by hook or by crook,...
The film, which opened the Toronto Film Festival on Thursday night, had been set up at Working Title with backing from Focus Features.
Toronto Film Festival 2022 Photo Gallery: Daniel Radcliffe And Weird Al Yankovic; ‘The Swimmers’, ‘On The Come Up’, ‘Handmaid’s Tale’, More
It already was a bit of a gamble before Covid reared its head. The story of two sisters, Yusra and Sarah Mardini — who left war-torn Syria to make a perilous journey across the Aegean Sea to Eastern Europe, and then, by hook or by crook,...
- 9/9/2022
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
In Netflix’s The Swimmers, Nathalie Issa and Manal Issa — Lebanese actors and sisters in real life — play the roles of Yusra and Sara Mardini, swimming sisters who fled Syria as refugees and competed in the pool at the 2016 Rio Olympics. But being cast and finally signing onto their roles was complicated initially by the Issa sisters not knowing how to swim.
“The first time I received the offer for the role, I refused it because I couldn’t swim,” Manal Issa, who plays Sarah Mardini, told a press conference for The Swimmers at the Toronto Film Festival on Friday.
Her sister Nathalie, who plays Yusra Mardini, also shared a phobia about water. “Even when she (Manal) told me about the movie, she said ‘it’s about swimmers.’ I said forget about it. I’m not gonna swim, let me finish my studies,...
In Netflix’s The Swimmers, Nathalie Issa and Manal Issa — Lebanese actors and sisters in real life — play the roles of Yusra and Sara Mardini, swimming sisters who fled Syria as refugees and competed in the pool at the 2016 Rio Olympics. But being cast and finally signing onto their roles was complicated initially by the Issa sisters not knowing how to swim.
“The first time I received the offer for the role, I refused it because I couldn’t swim,” Manal Issa, who plays Sarah Mardini, told a press conference for The Swimmers at the Toronto Film Festival on Friday.
Her sister Nathalie, who plays Yusra Mardini, also shared a phobia about water. “Even when she (Manal) told me about the movie, she said ‘it’s about swimmers.’ I said forget about it. I’m not gonna swim, let me finish my studies,...
- 9/9/2022
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Based on the remarkable true story of Syrian sisters Yusra and Sarah Mardini, "The Swimmers" is a stylish feature film that packs an emotional punch. Directed and co-written by Sally El Hosaini (best known for "My Brother the Devil"), the Netflix movie kicked off the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival — and set the tone for what's sure to be exciting week. This larger-than life movie is a crowd-pleaser.
Alternating between exuberant and exhilarating, heart-warming and horrific, "The Swimmers" is an ambitious picture that tells an almost unbelievable tale of struggle, perseverance, and triumph. Life in Syria changed very drastically in 2011; the film shows sisters Yusra and Sarah Mardini (played by real-life sisters Nathalie and Manal Issa) enjoying a happy, carefree life when the rumblings of civil war first appeared. Four years later, the family's life has been turned upside-down, thanks to the violence overtaking the nation.
"The Swimmers" is drenched (excuse the pun) in feeling.
Alternating between exuberant and exhilarating, heart-warming and horrific, "The Swimmers" is an ambitious picture that tells an almost unbelievable tale of struggle, perseverance, and triumph. Life in Syria changed very drastically in 2011; the film shows sisters Yusra and Sarah Mardini (played by real-life sisters Nathalie and Manal Issa) enjoying a happy, carefree life when the rumblings of civil war first appeared. Four years later, the family's life has been turned upside-down, thanks to the violence overtaking the nation.
"The Swimmers" is drenched (excuse the pun) in feeling.
- 9/9/2022
- by Sarah Milner
- Slash Film
Manal Issa and Nathalie Issa, real life sisters who play a pair of Olympic swimming hopefuls, also sisters, said they weren’t at all aquatic when cast in the Sally El Hosaini film ‘The Swimmers’ that opened TIFF last night.
“Manal and Natalie couldn’t swim when they took the roles,” El Hosaini said at a press conference Friday live streamed on Twitter.
“I was like, ‘forget about it’. I wasn’t going to swim. Let me finish my studies,” said Nathalie. “It was really hard at first. But once you know how to float, it’s really nice, and once you have a goal you want to reach it. It’s how you feel when you are in the water, and how you feel when you want to achieve something” — similar to her character.
Nathalie and Manal play Yusra and Sara Mardini, teenage sisters trying to live as normally as possible in war-torn Syria,...
“Manal and Natalie couldn’t swim when they took the roles,” El Hosaini said at a press conference Friday live streamed on Twitter.
“I was like, ‘forget about it’. I wasn’t going to swim. Let me finish my studies,” said Nathalie. “It was really hard at first. But once you know how to float, it’s really nice, and once you have a goal you want to reach it. It’s how you feel when you are in the water, and how you feel when you want to achieve something” — similar to her character.
Nathalie and Manal play Yusra and Sara Mardini, teenage sisters trying to live as normally as possible in war-torn Syria,...
- 9/9/2022
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Thursday’s death of Queen Elizabeth II dominated the news cycle, but the first day of the Toronto International Film Festival was filled with hope for the future. Introducing opening-night entry “The Swimmers” at the Princess of Wales Theatre, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey addressed the two pandemic years that disrupted everything.
“It was artists, storytellers, filmmakers, who were finding ways to move us, inspire us, to remind us what we’re living for,” he said. “I want to thank you, the best movie audience in the world, for being part of this experience again.”
That experience takes many forms. The festival is a beacon for awards-season titles as well as red-carpet galas, documentaries, genre films, and international cinema. It’s also a snapshot of how the industry views commercial movies at a most fragile moment.
Netflix launched “The Swimmers,” the rousing-but-familiar true story of sisters Yusra and Sara Mardini (Nathalie...
“It was artists, storytellers, filmmakers, who were finding ways to move us, inspire us, to remind us what we’re living for,” he said. “I want to thank you, the best movie audience in the world, for being part of this experience again.”
That experience takes many forms. The festival is a beacon for awards-season titles as well as red-carpet galas, documentaries, genre films, and international cinema. It’s also a snapshot of how the industry views commercial movies at a most fragile moment.
Netflix launched “The Swimmers,” the rousing-but-familiar true story of sisters Yusra and Sara Mardini (Nathalie...
- 9/9/2022
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Click here to read the full article.
There’s a scene in Sally El-Hosaini’s The Swimmers that was so intense it pushed several of the cast to the point where the production had to take a break. Some were physically sick. “When you see the actors vomiting [in the film], they’re really vomiting,” claims the director.
The scene in question is the most harrowing and difficult to watch of the TIFF curtain-raiser. But it’s the most important one in the whole film. And the reason it exists.
Based on tragically very real-life events, the Working Title/Netflix feature charts the incredible story of Yusra and Sara Mardini, teenage Syrian sisters who fled Damascus in 2015 as the devastating civil war began to creep closer to their home. After reaching Turkey, out of desperation to cross the Aegean Sea to the Greek island of Lesbos, they paid smugglers to board a boat...
There’s a scene in Sally El-Hosaini’s The Swimmers that was so intense it pushed several of the cast to the point where the production had to take a break. Some were physically sick. “When you see the actors vomiting [in the film], they’re really vomiting,” claims the director.
The scene in question is the most harrowing and difficult to watch of the TIFF curtain-raiser. But it’s the most important one in the whole film. And the reason it exists.
Based on tragically very real-life events, the Working Title/Netflix feature charts the incredible story of Yusra and Sara Mardini, teenage Syrian sisters who fled Damascus in 2015 as the devastating civil war began to creep closer to their home. After reaching Turkey, out of desperation to cross the Aegean Sea to the Greek island of Lesbos, they paid smugglers to board a boat...
- 9/9/2022
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Click here to read the full article.
Both adversity and triumph are in abundant supply in Sally El Hosaini’s The Swimmers, an undeniably powerful if inescapably episodic drama chronicling the harrowing, real-life flight taken by a pair of sisters from war-ravaged Syria to the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Ushering in the first business-as-usual edition of the Toronto International Film Festival since 2019, the film’s world premiere should set the stage for a buoyant response ahead of its Nov. 23 Netflix bow — particularly for the performances of the siblings cast as Olympics hopeful Yusra Mardini and her older sister Sara.
Prior to the outbreak of civil war in Syria, the rebellious Sara (Manal Issa) and her studious younger sister Yusra (Nathalie Issa) have been living the life of average teenagers in sun-drenched, suburban Damascus when not swimming competitively under the tutelage of their coach father (Ali Suliman).
But when the growing violence hits too close to home,...
Both adversity and triumph are in abundant supply in Sally El Hosaini’s The Swimmers, an undeniably powerful if inescapably episodic drama chronicling the harrowing, real-life flight taken by a pair of sisters from war-ravaged Syria to the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Ushering in the first business-as-usual edition of the Toronto International Film Festival since 2019, the film’s world premiere should set the stage for a buoyant response ahead of its Nov. 23 Netflix bow — particularly for the performances of the siblings cast as Olympics hopeful Yusra Mardini and her older sister Sara.
Prior to the outbreak of civil war in Syria, the rebellious Sara (Manal Issa) and her studious younger sister Yusra (Nathalie Issa) have been living the life of average teenagers in sun-drenched, suburban Damascus when not swimming competitively under the tutelage of their coach father (Ali Suliman).
But when the growing violence hits too close to home,...
- 9/9/2022
- by Michael Rechtshaffen
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Toronto International Film Festival started off on a historic day with one of its strongest opening films in years in Sally El Hosaini’s ‘The Swimmers’, but what some audience members will likely remember is the stressful experience of securing their tickets for the Roy Thomson Hall world premiere.
TIFF, which has gone digital again this year via Ticketmaster, has been plagued with ticketing issues all week thanks to a complicated voucher process for public tickets, reports ‘Variety’.
While it was hoped that many of the technical kinks would be ironed out by opening night, this wasn’t the case.
Media outlets, including Variety, that were meant to receive opening night tickets from the film’s studio — in this case, Netflix — didn’t get them in time for the screening due to “technical glitches” and had to be rounded up and escorted to their seats by representatives for the streamer.
TIFF, which has gone digital again this year via Ticketmaster, has been plagued with ticketing issues all week thanks to a complicated voucher process for public tickets, reports ‘Variety’.
While it was hoped that many of the technical kinks would be ironed out by opening night, this wasn’t the case.
Media outlets, including Variety, that were meant to receive opening night tickets from the film’s studio — in this case, Netflix — didn’t get them in time for the screening due to “technical glitches” and had to be rounded up and escorted to their seats by representatives for the streamer.
- 9/9/2022
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
TIFF Kicks Off on Historic Day With ‘Swimmers,’ but Finds Itself in the Deep End With Ticketing Woes
The Toronto International Film Festival kicked off on a historic day with one of its strongest opening films in years in Sally El Hosaini’s “The Swimmers,” but what some audience members will likely remember is the stressful experience of securing their tickets for the Roy Thomson Hall world premiere.
TIFF, which has gone digital again this year via Ticketmaster, has been plagued with ticketing issues all week thanks to a complicated voucher process for public tickets.
While it was hoped that many of the technical kinks would be ironed out by opening night, this wasn’t the case. Media outlets, including Variety, that were meant to receive opening night tickets from the film’s studio — in this case, Netflix — didn’t get them in time for the screening due to “technical glitches” and had to be rounded up and escorted to their seats by representatives for the streamer.
During the festival’s opening ceremony,...
TIFF, which has gone digital again this year via Ticketmaster, has been plagued with ticketing issues all week thanks to a complicated voucher process for public tickets.
While it was hoped that many of the technical kinks would be ironed out by opening night, this wasn’t the case. Media outlets, including Variety, that were meant to receive opening night tickets from the film’s studio — in this case, Netflix — didn’t get them in time for the screening due to “technical glitches” and had to be rounded up and escorted to their seats by representatives for the streamer.
During the festival’s opening ceremony,...
- 9/9/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has a number of high-profile movies coming to the Toronto Film Festival, just as it did at Venice and Telluride, but a less heralded title with no instantly recognizable star names was chosen to open the fest tonight, and The Swimmers may turn out to be a surprise winner for the streamer when it debuts this fall. It certainly reverses the curse of some of TIFF’s less successful opening-nighters.
Ostensibly about a triumphant appearance at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, The Swimmers is really a moving and suspenseful story of the plight of refugees looking for a better life against all odds. The power of this movie is it turns out to be an unlikely underdog sports saga about a couple of Syrian sisters who show remarkable swimming skill in school and who are so impressive they could be Olympic caliber. But before you wonder if this will turn into a waterlogged Rocky,...
Ostensibly about a triumphant appearance at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, The Swimmers is really a moving and suspenseful story of the plight of refugees looking for a better life against all odds. The power of this movie is it turns out to be an unlikely underdog sports saga about a couple of Syrian sisters who show remarkable swimming skill in school and who are so impressive they could be Olympic caliber. But before you wonder if this will turn into a waterlogged Rocky,...
- 9/9/2022
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
At nearly two and a half hours, Netflix’s Syrian migrant drama “The Swimmers” is a long sit that goes to extraordinary efforts — from a treacly score to constant reminders that its protagonists are, you know, swimmers — to try and make you feel good, or at least feel anything. The problem is that , partially through overheated use of the pop-powered anthems of Sia. Who knew that radio-friendly hits like “Titanium” and “Unstoppable” could serve as potent theme songs for a drama about a pair of Syrian sisters who flee their war-bombed homeland for a better life in Europe?
“The Swimmers,” which is written by El Hosaini and Jack Thorne, is based on the true story of the Olympian-anointed Mardini sisters, who left their battle-torn Damascus in 2015 by boat on a treacherous path to Germany, where there’s hope things might be better. The movie, centered on Sara and Yusra, who...
“The Swimmers,” which is written by El Hosaini and Jack Thorne, is based on the true story of the Olympian-anointed Mardini sisters, who left their battle-torn Damascus in 2015 by boat on a treacherous path to Germany, where there’s hope things might be better. The movie, centered on Sara and Yusra, who...
- 9/9/2022
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
At the end of “The Swimmers,” you could be excused for thinking that Syrian refugee Yusra Mardini won an Olympic gold medal. She didn’t. That’s not to detract from everything she and her older sister, Sara, went through to escape the Syrian civil war and reclaim their dreams of competitive swimming. It just means that director Sally El Hosaini and co-writer Jack Thorne didn’t know how else to wrap this inspirational true story, which is ideally suited for one of those 40-minute Oscar-grubbing documentary shorts, in their feel-good Toronto Film Fest opener.
At a bloated 134 minutes, however, your brain may well start to prune, the way fingers do when they spend too much time in water. It’s not enough that co-leads (and real-life sisters) Nathalie and Manal Issa have great chemistry on-screen, or that the plot packs some of the same oomph as last year’s “Flee.
At a bloated 134 minutes, however, your brain may well start to prune, the way fingers do when they spend too much time in water. It’s not enough that co-leads (and real-life sisters) Nathalie and Manal Issa have great chemistry on-screen, or that the plot packs some of the same oomph as last year’s “Flee.
- 9/9/2022
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Not even the death of Queen Elizabeth II could halt the hustle and bustle of another in-person Toronto International Film Festival during the Covid era as throngs lined up for premieres and chomped off food carts on festival row (aka King Street).
However, what did vex festivalgoers in Hogtown was the second year of TIFF’s digital ticketing website via Ticketmaster. Last year it wasn’t a problem given the reduced capacity at TIFF venues and fewer attending out of fear of the pandemic. However, judging by the turnout at Roy Thomson Hall tonight for the fest’s opening film, The Swimmers from Netflix, it wouldn’t be a surprise to hear that TIFF has returned to its pre-pandemic 300K-plus attendance.
Toronto Film Festival 2022 Photo Gallery: ‘The Swimmers’ World Premiere, ‘On The Come Up’, ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ And More
And with great demand, comes great chaos. The TIFF Ticketmaster site...
However, what did vex festivalgoers in Hogtown was the second year of TIFF’s digital ticketing website via Ticketmaster. Last year it wasn’t a problem given the reduced capacity at TIFF venues and fewer attending out of fear of the pandemic. However, judging by the turnout at Roy Thomson Hall tonight for the fest’s opening film, The Swimmers from Netflix, it wouldn’t be a surprise to hear that TIFF has returned to its pre-pandemic 300K-plus attendance.
Toronto Film Festival 2022 Photo Gallery: ‘The Swimmers’ World Premiere, ‘On The Come Up’, ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ And More
And with great demand, comes great chaos. The TIFF Ticketmaster site...
- 9/9/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The Swimmers Trailer — Sally El-Hosaini‘s The Swimmers (2022) teaser trailer has been released by Netflix. The The Swimmers trailer stars Nathalie Issa, Manal Issa, Matthias Schweighöfer, Ahmed Malek, James Krishna Floyd, Nahel Tzegai, Kinda Alloush, and Ali Suliman. Crew Sally El-Hosaini and Jack Thorne wrote the screenplay for The Swimmers. “Produced by Working Title’s [...]
Continue reading: The Swimmers (2022) Teaser Trailer: Two Refugee Sisters Travel from War-torn Syria to the 2016 Rio Olympics...
Continue reading: The Swimmers (2022) Teaser Trailer: Two Refugee Sisters Travel from War-torn Syria to the 2016 Rio Olympics...
- 9/2/2022
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
"We need to move forward. We're not allowed to give up." Netflix has revealed a teaser trailer for a film titled The Swimmers, made by a Welsh-Egyptian filmmaker named Sally El-Hosaini. This is premiering soon at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival, hence this trailer arriving now, before it arrives for streaming on Netflix this November. From war-torn Syria to the 2016 Rio Olympics, two sisters embark on a harrowing journey as refugees, putting both their hearts and champion swimming skills to heroic use. Based on the true story of the miraculous journey made by swimming sisters Yusra & Sarah Mardini who fled as refugees from war-torn Syria all the way to the 2016 Rio Olympics. Starring Nathalie Issa (as Yusra) and Manal Issa (as Sara) as the two sisters, plus Matthias Schweighöfer, Ahmed Malek, James Krishna Floyd, Nahel Tzegai, with Kinda Alloush and Ali Suliman. This is a fantastic teaser, with David Guetta's song "Titanium ft.
- 9/1/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Making its European premiere, Sally El Hosaini’s The Swimmers has been set as the opening film of the 18th Zurich Film Festival. Based on the inspirational true-life story of the Mardini sisters, it will screen on September 22 at Zurich’s Convention Center. It will earlier world premiere as the opening night gala presentation in Toronto.
The Working Title film for Netflix is directed and written by El Hosaini and co-written by Jack Thorne. It follows the harrowing journey of two young sisters from war-torn Syria to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“The Swimmers is a deeply moving and timely film about a miraculous journey,” says Zff Artistic Director Christian Jungen. “It shines a light on the refugee crisis, but is also up-lifting and inspiring. We couldn’t imagine a better opening night film. Sally El Hosaini, who already with her first feature My Brother The Devil won an award at Sundance,...
The Working Title film for Netflix is directed and written by El Hosaini and co-written by Jack Thorne. It follows the harrowing journey of two young sisters from war-torn Syria to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“The Swimmers is a deeply moving and timely film about a miraculous journey,” says Zff Artistic Director Christian Jungen. “It shines a light on the refugee crisis, but is also up-lifting and inspiring. We couldn’t imagine a better opening night film. Sally El Hosaini, who already with her first feature My Brother The Devil won an award at Sundance,...
- 8/25/2022
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Sally El Hosaini’s drama “The Swimmers,” based on the inspirational true-life story of the Mardini sisters, will open the 18th Zurich Film Festival on Sept. 22. It will be the film’s European premiere.
The film is produced by Working Title for Netflix. It is directed and written by El Hosaini and co-written by Jack Thorne, based on a true story. It follows the journey from war-torn Syria to the 2016 Rio Olympics of two young sisters, who embark on a harrowing journey as refugees, putting both their hearts and champion swimming skills to heroic use.
El Hosaini will be joined at the screening by cast members Nathalie Issa and Matthias Schweighöfer, along with Sara and Yusra Mardini, and Yusra’s swimming coach Sven Spannenkrebs.
“’The Swimmers’ is a deeply moving and timely film about a miraculous journey,” Christian Jungen, the festival’s artistic director, said. “It shines a light on the refugee crisis,...
The film is produced by Working Title for Netflix. It is directed and written by El Hosaini and co-written by Jack Thorne, based on a true story. It follows the journey from war-torn Syria to the 2016 Rio Olympics of two young sisters, who embark on a harrowing journey as refugees, putting both their hearts and champion swimming skills to heroic use.
El Hosaini will be joined at the screening by cast members Nathalie Issa and Matthias Schweighöfer, along with Sara and Yusra Mardini, and Yusra’s swimming coach Sven Spannenkrebs.
“’The Swimmers’ is a deeply moving and timely film about a miraculous journey,” Christian Jungen, the festival’s artistic director, said. “It shines a light on the refugee crisis,...
- 8/25/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The Princess of Tides: Dagher Can’t Go Home Again in Broody Beirut
For his directorial debut, The Sea Ahead, Ely Dagher expands on the themes evident in his earlier short films, including the 2015 Palme d’Or winning short Waves ’98, where a sense of isolation and alienation are the pervasive sentiments dictating his characters’ experiences in Beirut. Headlined by a stand-out Manal Issa, the narrative plays out in what could potentially be assumed semi-autobiographical flourishes as it concerns a prodigal daughter who unexpectedly returns to her parents’ home after a stint abroad without any explanation, only to be greeted by ghostly feelings she never laid to rest.…...
For his directorial debut, The Sea Ahead, Ely Dagher expands on the themes evident in his earlier short films, including the 2015 Palme d’Or winning short Waves ’98, where a sense of isolation and alienation are the pervasive sentiments dictating his characters’ experiences in Beirut. Headlined by a stand-out Manal Issa, the narrative plays out in what could potentially be assumed semi-autobiographical flourishes as it concerns a prodigal daughter who unexpectedly returns to her parents’ home after a stint abroad without any explanation, only to be greeted by ghostly feelings she never laid to rest.…...
- 7/29/2022
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Sally El Hosaini’s Netflix movie The Swimmers will be making its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival as the opening-night film on September 8 at Roy Thomson Hall.
The pic, based on a true story, follows the journey of two young sisters who fled war-torn Syria as refugees and made their way to the 2016 Rio Olympics to compete in swimming.
Deadline told you Tuesday that CAA signed El Hosaini.
“I was deeply moved by the story of these two sisters and wowed by the storytelling,” said TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey. “The Swimmers was the very best kind of surprise when we saw it this summer — an exciting, epic journey and the arrival of an important filmmaker. I’m thrilled that audiences in Toronto will be the first to discover Sally El Hosaini’s remarkable film, and that this year on our Opening Night we can honor everyone who risks everything to reach a better,...
The pic, based on a true story, follows the journey of two young sisters who fled war-torn Syria as refugees and made their way to the 2016 Rio Olympics to compete in swimming.
Deadline told you Tuesday that CAA signed El Hosaini.
“I was deeply moved by the story of these two sisters and wowed by the storytelling,” said TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey. “The Swimmers was the very best kind of surprise when we saw it this summer — an exciting, epic journey and the arrival of an important filmmaker. I’m thrilled that audiences in Toronto will be the first to discover Sally El Hosaini’s remarkable film, and that this year on our Opening Night we can honor everyone who risks everything to reach a better,...
- 7/27/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Sally El Hosaini’s refugee drama “The Swimmers” will open the 47th Toronto International Film Festival.
The film follows the journey made by swimming sisters Yusra and Sarah Mardini who fled as refugees from war-torn Syria all the way to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
In 2015, after their house was destroyed in the Syrian Civil War, the Mardini sisters decided to flee the country. They made their way to Lebanon and then Turkey, where they arranged to be smuggled into Greece by dinghy. In the middle of the Aegean Sea, the motor of the dinghy, overcrowded with refugees, cut out, and the Mardini sisters and others who could swim, ensured the safety of the passengers.
The film is based on a screenplay by El Hosaini and BAFTA winner Jack Thorne (“Help”).
The roles of Yusra and Sarah Mardini are played by Lebanese sisters Manal and Nathalie Issa (“My Favourite Fabric”). Manal Issa...
The film follows the journey made by swimming sisters Yusra and Sarah Mardini who fled as refugees from war-torn Syria all the way to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
In 2015, after their house was destroyed in the Syrian Civil War, the Mardini sisters decided to flee the country. They made their way to Lebanon and then Turkey, where they arranged to be smuggled into Greece by dinghy. In the middle of the Aegean Sea, the motor of the dinghy, overcrowded with refugees, cut out, and the Mardini sisters and others who could swim, ensured the safety of the passengers.
The film is based on a screenplay by El Hosaini and BAFTA winner Jack Thorne (“Help”).
The roles of Yusra and Sarah Mardini are played by Lebanese sisters Manal and Nathalie Issa (“My Favourite Fabric”). Manal Issa...
- 7/27/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The 2022 Toronto International Film Festival lineup is coming further into focus, with the Opening Night selection now revealed.
Netflix and Working Title film “The Swimmers” is confirmed to open the 2022 festival on Thursday, September 8. “The Swimmers” follows the journey from war-torn Syria to the 2016 Rio Olympics of two elite swimmers who are sisters and is written and directed by Sally El Hosaini and co-written by multi-award-winner Jack Thorne.
“I was deeply moved by the story of these two sisters and wowed by the storytelling,” TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey said in a press statement. “‘The Swimmers’ was the very best kind of surprise when we saw it this summer — an exciting, epic journey and the arrival of an important filmmaker. I’m thrilled that audiences in Toronto will be the first to discover Sally El Hosaini’s remarkable film, and that this year on our Opening Night we can honor everyone...
Netflix and Working Title film “The Swimmers” is confirmed to open the 2022 festival on Thursday, September 8. “The Swimmers” follows the journey from war-torn Syria to the 2016 Rio Olympics of two elite swimmers who are sisters and is written and directed by Sally El Hosaini and co-written by multi-award-winner Jack Thorne.
“I was deeply moved by the story of these two sisters and wowed by the storytelling,” TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey said in a press statement. “‘The Swimmers’ was the very best kind of surprise when we saw it this summer — an exciting, epic journey and the arrival of an important filmmaker. I’m thrilled that audiences in Toronto will be the first to discover Sally El Hosaini’s remarkable film, and that this year on our Opening Night we can honor everyone...
- 7/27/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Filmmaker arrives with long-awaited follow-up to 2012’s ‘My Brother The Devil’.
Netflix and Working Title’s refugee drama The Swimmers from Sally El Hosaini will open the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), marking the streamer’s second opening-night slot of the upcoming fall festival season.
El Hosaini, a Screen Star of Tomorrow 2009 who makes her long-awaited follow-up to 2012 drama My Brother The Devil, co-wrote the screenplay with Jack Thorne based on a true story about two young sisters on a harrowing journey from war-torn Syria to compete as swimmers at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Manal Issa, Nathalie Issa, Ahmed Malek, Matthias Schweighöfer,...
Netflix and Working Title’s refugee drama The Swimmers from Sally El Hosaini will open the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), marking the streamer’s second opening-night slot of the upcoming fall festival season.
El Hosaini, a Screen Star of Tomorrow 2009 who makes her long-awaited follow-up to 2012 drama My Brother The Devil, co-wrote the screenplay with Jack Thorne based on a true story about two young sisters on a harrowing journey from war-torn Syria to compete as swimmers at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Manal Issa, Nathalie Issa, Ahmed Malek, Matthias Schweighöfer,...
- 7/27/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Sally El Hosaini’s “The Swimmers” has been chosen as the Opening Night Gala Presentation for the 47th Toronto International Film Festival.
Based on the true story of Yusra and Sarah Mardini, “The Swimmers” chronicles the journey of two sisters who flee Syria in the midst of war and eventually make it to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Also Read:
Harry Styles Romantic Drama ‘My Policeman’ to Make World Premiere at TIFF
In August 2015, the Mardini sisters were on the third leg of their journey, a boat trip from Turkey to Greece, when the overcrowded vessel began to sink. After more than three hours of swimming, they were able to propel the passengers to safety. Less than a year later, 18-year-old Yusra made her Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Games, followed by the Tokyo Summer Games four years later.
Led by sisters Nathalie and Manal Issa as Yusra and Sarah, the Netflix...
Based on the true story of Yusra and Sarah Mardini, “The Swimmers” chronicles the journey of two sisters who flee Syria in the midst of war and eventually make it to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Also Read:
Harry Styles Romantic Drama ‘My Policeman’ to Make World Premiere at TIFF
In August 2015, the Mardini sisters were on the third leg of their journey, a boat trip from Turkey to Greece, when the overcrowded vessel began to sink. After more than three hours of swimming, they were able to propel the passengers to safety. Less than a year later, 18-year-old Yusra made her Olympic debut at the 2016 Rio Games, followed by the Tokyo Summer Games four years later.
Led by sisters Nathalie and Manal Issa as Yusra and Sarah, the Netflix...
- 7/27/2022
- by Harper Lambert
- The Wrap
167 film critics from 68 countries voted on the awards organised by the Arab Cinema Centre.
Egyptian director Omar El Zohairy’s social satire Feathers, which won the top prize at Cannes Critics’ Week last year, has swept the board at the sixth edition of the Critics’ Awards for Arab Films.
The film, which was nominated in four categories, won best film, director and screenplay.
This year’s edition of the awards, spearheaded by the Cairo-based Arab Cinema Centre (Acc), focuses on Arab-language films that premiered on the festival circuit outside of the Arab world in 2021.
It was voted on by 167 film critics from 68 countries,...
Egyptian director Omar El Zohairy’s social satire Feathers, which won the top prize at Cannes Critics’ Week last year, has swept the board at the sixth edition of the Critics’ Awards for Arab Films.
The film, which was nominated in four categories, won best film, director and screenplay.
This year’s edition of the awards, spearheaded by the Cairo-based Arab Cinema Centre (Acc), focuses on Arab-language films that premiered on the festival circuit outside of the Arab world in 2021.
It was voted on by 167 film critics from 68 countries,...
- 5/22/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Past best film awards from the previous five editions include Wajib, Yomeddine and Gaza Mon Amour.
Jordanian director Bassel Ghandour’s The Alleys and Egyptian director Omar El Zohairy’s Feathers lead the nominations in the sixth edition of the Critics Awards for Arab Films.
The films each garnered nominations in four categories, including best film, director and screenplay.
Spearheaded and run by the Cairo-based Arab Cinema Centre (Acc), this edition focused on Arab-language films that premiered on the festival circuit outside of the Arab world in 2021.
It was voted on by 167 film critics from 68 countries, who viewed the films on Festival Scope.
Jordanian director Bassel Ghandour’s The Alleys and Egyptian director Omar El Zohairy’s Feathers lead the nominations in the sixth edition of the Critics Awards for Arab Films.
The films each garnered nominations in four categories, including best film, director and screenplay.
Spearheaded and run by the Cairo-based Arab Cinema Centre (Acc), this edition focused on Arab-language films that premiered on the festival circuit outside of the Arab world in 2021.
It was voted on by 167 film critics from 68 countries, who viewed the films on Festival Scope.
- 5/10/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
It’s a compact ten offerings that make up the short films selection over at the Directors’ Fortnight. The eyebrow-raiser goes to Radu Jude – who has been “banging” out a bunch of short films since the release of 2021’s Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn. His The Potemkinists looks at the defiant gesture against Russia made in 1905 by the sailors from the Potemkin Cruiser – they would receive political asylum in Jude’s native Romania. With renewed interested in the life of Maria Schneider (Jessica Palud’s biopic with Anamaria Vartolomei as Maria will premiere next year), Elisabeth Subrin continues to dissect the life of an actress with Maria Schneider, 1983 — you’ll see The Sea Ahead actress Manal Issa (image above), Aïssa Maiga and filmmaker Isabel Sandoval) in the film.…...
- 4/27/2022
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
The new fund gives production and post-production support to Arab world cinema projects.
Lebanese director Ely Dagher’s Beirut-set drama The Sea Ahead and Jordanian filmmaker Darin J. Sallam’s debut feature Farha are among the first 14 recipients of the Red Sea International Film Festival’s $14m fund.
Starring French-Lebanese actress Manal Issa as a young woman who returns to Beirut after many years of absence, The Sea Ahead world premiered in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight earlier this year. It was Dagher’s first feature after Waves ’98, which won the Cannes Palme D’Or for best short film in 2015.
Farha will...
Lebanese director Ely Dagher’s Beirut-set drama The Sea Ahead and Jordanian filmmaker Darin J. Sallam’s debut feature Farha are among the first 14 recipients of the Red Sea International Film Festival’s $14m fund.
Starring French-Lebanese actress Manal Issa as a young woman who returns to Beirut after many years of absence, The Sea Ahead world premiered in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight earlier this year. It was Dagher’s first feature after Waves ’98, which won the Cannes Palme D’Or for best short film in 2015.
Farha will...
- 9/6/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Some movies spoof a sub-genre on their own. There is the term “Big Chill clone” that brings together the films about a group of school friends that went their separate ways gathering again to mourn the untimely death of one of their buddies and to take a walk down the memory lane. The Berlinale competition title “Memory Box” might eventually end up in that familiar territory, but the road to it is quite particular and with a number of side topics woven into the film’s fabric.
There are multiple reasons for it, one of them being the focus on the three generations of women of a Quebecois family of Lebanese immigrants, the second being the background of the Lebanese Civil War and the traumas it left, while the third one is the fact that this co-operation by Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige is based on the material from Hadjithomas’ personal collection of memories.
There are multiple reasons for it, one of them being the focus on the three generations of women of a Quebecois family of Lebanese immigrants, the second being the background of the Lebanese Civil War and the traumas it left, while the third one is the fact that this co-operation by Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige is based on the material from Hadjithomas’ personal collection of memories.
- 3/18/2021
- by Marko Stojiljković
- AsianMoviePulse
One of two films at the 2021 Berlinale about the lasting trauma of the Lebanese Civil War (along with the superior Miguel’s War), Memory Box follows three generations of Lebanese women, now living in Montreal, whose lives are uprooted when a literal box of memories lands on their doorstep. “It’s bad memories,” Téta (Clémence Sabbagh) tells her curious granddaughter, Alex (Paloma Vauthier), when she sees the box is from a woman named Liza Haber. It’s Christmas Eve, and these “bad memories” aren’t the kind of present Téta wants to give her daughter, Maia (Rim Turki). So she stuffs them away in a cupboard, to be dealt with at a later date.
Memory Box is “freely adapted” (as a title card states) from the real-life correspondences of its co-writer-director Joana Hadjithomas, who made the film with her husband, Khalil Joreige. As a young woman living in Beirut, Hadjithomas...
Memory Box is “freely adapted” (as a title card states) from the real-life correspondences of its co-writer-director Joana Hadjithomas, who made the film with her husband, Khalil Joreige. As a young woman living in Beirut, Hadjithomas...
- 3/6/2021
- by Orla Smith
- The Film Stage
When directors Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige uncovered a trove of photographs, journals and audio recordings they had made while growing up in Beirut of the 1980s, they knew these personal archives would fuel their next film. Acclaimed artists and documentarians, the creative duo opted to develop these archives into a narrative feature that tells the story of two generations of mothers and daughters.
Set in present-day Canada and 1980s Lebanon, Berlin competition title “Memory Box” focuses on an adolescent girl who stumbles upon her mother’s own personal archives — and through them discovers her mother at a wholly different age.
Why did you want to develop this as fiction feature — your first in over a decade?
Hadjithomas: We had so much material that we didn’t want to go into a documentary. For us, it was clear to take those existing documents, those pictures and tapes, and work them into narrative fiction.
Set in present-day Canada and 1980s Lebanon, Berlin competition title “Memory Box” focuses on an adolescent girl who stumbles upon her mother’s own personal archives — and through them discovers her mother at a wholly different age.
Why did you want to develop this as fiction feature — your first in over a decade?
Hadjithomas: We had so much material that we didn’t want to go into a documentary. For us, it was clear to take those existing documents, those pictures and tapes, and work them into narrative fiction.
- 3/2/2021
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
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