Started to watch this film without knowing anything about it, only that it was trending at number 3 on Netflix. I usually switch films off with subtitles but something about this one lured me in. The balance of spoken English and subtitles actually worked for me as the film is about people attempting to cross International borders not all of them speaking the same language.
I was, from the title expecting to see a story about 2 sisters training to be Olympic swimmers. And yes it is, but it's not a feel good story, it is the remarkable true story of a refugee achieving an Olympic dream. Living in my cosy U. K. bubble I had no concept of living in a war torn country and how that drives young people to risk their lives in order that their families can seek refuge in other countries and it has really opened my eyes.
Lesbos was one of my favourite holiday destinations but in the last decade I have begrudgingly avoided it because of refugees landing on it's beaches . I now feel humbled after watching the harrowing depiction of the 'boat' journey. Part way through I almost stopped watching as their journey made me feel more and more uncomfortable as this wasn't going to be a story with a completely happy ending.
There is also an insight into the conditions that refugees live in once they have arrived in Germany. Although not ideal thank goodness there are compassionate countries.
The film felt authentic as there were no big stars in the cast and it seemed credible that they were refugees (the only actor I recognised was the one who played a good looking Doctor in The Good Karma Hospital).
I think there should be more films made from the point of view of refugees as their story needs to be told.
I was, from the title expecting to see a story about 2 sisters training to be Olympic swimmers. And yes it is, but it's not a feel good story, it is the remarkable true story of a refugee achieving an Olympic dream. Living in my cosy U. K. bubble I had no concept of living in a war torn country and how that drives young people to risk their lives in order that their families can seek refuge in other countries and it has really opened my eyes.
Lesbos was one of my favourite holiday destinations but in the last decade I have begrudgingly avoided it because of refugees landing on it's beaches . I now feel humbled after watching the harrowing depiction of the 'boat' journey. Part way through I almost stopped watching as their journey made me feel more and more uncomfortable as this wasn't going to be a story with a completely happy ending.
There is also an insight into the conditions that refugees live in once they have arrived in Germany. Although not ideal thank goodness there are compassionate countries.
The film felt authentic as there were no big stars in the cast and it seemed credible that they were refugees (the only actor I recognised was the one who played a good looking Doctor in The Good Karma Hospital).
I think there should be more films made from the point of view of refugees as their story needs to be told.