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Netflix viewers have been left in floods of tears after watching 'the best film of the year'. Watch the emotional trailer below:
The film is based on an incredible true story about two sisters - Yusra and Sara Mardini - who are forced to flee their home in Syria as a result of war and violence.
The sisters left in August 2015 and swam the Mediterranean sea as asylum seekers, reaching Lebanon and then Turkey where they arranged to be smuggled into Greece by boat along with 18 other migrants. However, the boat was only meant to be used by no more than six or seven people.
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Once the boat's motor stopped working and the dinghy began to take on water in the Aegean Sea, the two sisters and two other people were able to get into the water and swim alongside the boat through the water for over three hours until the group made it to land on the Greek island of Lesbos.
Yusra, Sara and the group then travelled on foot through Europe before they eventually settled in Berlin, Germany in September 2015.
Incredibly, Yusra went on to compete at the Olympic Games in Brazil in 2016.
The inspiring story of the sisters and their treacherous journey to safety has inspired Netflix viewers. One viewer tweeted: "30 mins into watching The Swimmers on Netflix & I’m in tears. It’s based on a true story of Syrian sisters who fled war to become refugees & live their dream. There are people living this painful reality every day. Syria, Ukraine, Afghanistan, the list goes on. We need change."
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One woman replied to the tweet above adding: "I’m twenty mins in and my heart has been in my throat since the start."
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Another social media user dubbed The Swimmers one of the best films they watched this year: "If you want a movie that highlights the best (and sometimes worst) in people... A film about the human spirit... About not giving up... About finding meaning to your life... And overcoming the odds... The Swimmers is on Netflix," they declared. "One of the best films I've seen this year. Period."
While someone else tweeted: "I would highly recommend watching the swimmers on Netflix. It is the best film i watched this year."
The Swimmers was directed by Sally El Hosanna from a screenplay she wrote alongside Jack Thorne.
Real-life sisters Nathalie and Manal Issa portray the Mardini sisters.
The Swimmers is available to watch on Netflix now.
Topics: TV and Film, Netflix
Gregory Robinson