The Swimmers

What’s it about?

Two sisters make the risky journey fleeing from war-torn Syria to Germany, which includes swimming for hours in the Aegean Sea. Despite their status as refugees, they aim to beat the odds and compete in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The facts

• Directed by Sally El Hosaini
• Runtime: 135 minutes
• English and Arabic language
• The film is a biographical drama and based on true events

Why did it get this rating?

This film was self-rated by Netflix. You can find out more about self-rating by streaming providers here.

Sexual violence

Soldiers grope two teenagers on a bus and it is clear that the teenagers are very uncomfortable and annoyed. Later in the film a man tries to assault a young female. He follows her into a shed and stops her from leaving. He throws her to the ground and attempts to undo her pants. She fight backs and another female comes in and starts fighting the man. Another man comes in and pulls the guy away. The first female is bleeding from the nose.

These scenes could be hard-hitting for those with similar experiences or who know someone who has gone through something similar, especially considering this is based on true events.

Violence

In Syria, bombs go off in the background and a bus is shot at by a sniper. Violence is talked about in relation to refugee experiences and countries that experience unrest.

Extra information

Before the credits, a postscript details what happened after the events shown in the film. One of the sisters goes back to the Greek island of Lesbos to help refugees get safely across the water. It states that since going back to Lesbos, she has been arrested and faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment under smuggling charges.

It is important to note that the film shows the scary reality that refugees face when they flee from countries they have lived in. Some viewers may wish to talk together about the events in this film and the issues it raises, but these issues may be difficult for others to watch and process.

Further information

At the Office we know that everyone has a line. What might seem like an easy watch for one person could be different for another. Talk to your friends or whānau, or free call or text 1737 or Safe to talk for more support.

• Where Are Yusra And Sara Mardini Now? The Syrian Sisters In Netflix's 'The Swimmers' And The Rio Olympics
• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?
• Talking with young people about what they’re watching
• Talking with tamariki about scary events