Netflix’s The Swimmers is a biographical drama based on the incredible true story of 2 sisters who overcome all odds to achieve their dreams. Directed by Sally El Hosaini, it follows Yusra and Sara Mardini, 2 Syrian siblings and aspiring swimmers whose house was destroyed in the civil war.
Forced to flee their homeland, they arrive in Turkey and board a boat with eighteen other refugees to escape to Greece. However, when the engine fails in the middle of the sea, Sara and Yusra team up with 2 other passengers to save everyone and reach land.
Just a year after surviving this harrowing incident and saving many lives, Yusra sets out to fulfill her dream of competing in the Olympics. The film, a story about audacity, courage, and sheer willpower, authentically portrays the plight of refugees and the courageous experiences of the Mardini sisters.
Apart from enthralling the audience with its inspiring storytelling and strong acting, it will make them curious about the realistic sea locations and foreign countries in the background. Now, if you too want to know more about where ‘The Swimmers’ have all been placed.
Where Was The Swimmers Movie Filmed?
The Swimmers movie was filmed throughout Turkey, England, Belgium, Brazil, Greece, Syria, and Germany, particularly in Istanbul, the Aegean region, London, Brussels, Rio de Janeiro, Lesbos, Damascus, and Berlin. Filming on the Netflix film was supposed to take place in the summer of 2020, but was put on hold indefinitely just four days before the start due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The project was renewed in April 2021 and was likely to be completed by the end of July of that year. The makers decided to shoot several scenes on location to give the sisters’ story a touch of realism.
Turkey
“The Swimmers” was primarily projected in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city and its economic, cultural, and historical center. The scene depicting the national swimming competition that Yusra and Sara are participating in was recorded at the ITU Olympic Pool in Maslak District.
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In addition, the crew shot various scenes at suitable backdrops in the city, including beautiful mosques and monuments. Istanbul was founded in the 7th century BC and has several UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Hippodrome of Constantine, Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Süleymaniye Conservation Area.
Several scenes of The Swimmers Netflix movie were shot on the beaches of the Aegean Sea, especially in the province of İzmir. For example, the scene depicting the refugee boat arriving at Lesbos was filmed at Badem Bükü beach.
In contrast, the production team used the Yeniliman Sahil beach for the open water sequences. The refugee boat launch depicted in the film was recreated at Karasu Beach near Kuşadası, a lush Aegean resort in Aydın province.
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Strict safety precautions were followed during the filming of the aforementioned scenes, with trained crew members always present to prevent accidents.
Not only that, the final scenes were filmed at the Grand Belish Hotel, 5 minutes from Love Beach. According to reports, the entire part chronicling the sea journey of the refugees was shot on a tight schedule in one week.
England
The Rio 2016 Olympic Games swimming events in which Yusra is participating were resumed in London, the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom. The team used the London Aquatics Center at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford for shooting purposes.
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The indoor complex consists of two 50-meter swimming pools and one 25-meter diving pool and was one of the main venues for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Belgium
To film the underwater and storm sequences in “The Swimmers,” the cast and crew traveled to Vilvoorde, a municipality in the Flemish province. They used the tanks at Lites Water Stage and Film Studios at Fabriekstraat 81, 1800 Vilvoorde, about 14 kilometers from Brussels.
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The studio boasts the world’s most advanced indoor water stage, two large sound stages, three small stages, and many other production spaces.
Brazil
The Swimmers film crew next traveled to Rio de Janeiro, a sprawling seaside city in southeastern Brazil, to film some of the founding sequences and recreate the 2016 Olympics. Known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant culture, Rio de Janeiro is one of the world’s most visited destinations.
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As well as being directed by Sally El Hosaini, Fantastic Beasts: The Mystery of Dumbledore was filmed in the city.
Greece
Major parts of “The Swimmers” were filmed on Lesbos, an island off the coast of Turkey in the Aegean Sea. Many of the opening shots were likely recorded on location, depicting the arrival of the refugees and their stay on the island.
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Lesvos is the third largest island in Greece and is a prominent tourist destination due to its breathtaking views and diverse fauna and flora.
Syria
The cast and crew of The Swimmers stopped in Damascus, the capital of Syria and the oldest capital in the world. They shot some vital scenes in one of the rooftop bars in the city. In addition, the team moved across the city to shoot various scenes on location.
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Damascus has religious significance in Islam and is visited by hundreds of visitors every year. It has a wonderful mix of modern and ancient architecture with many iconic landmarks and streets.
Germany
The last few scenes of The Swimmers film were ostensibly shot on location in Berlin, Germany’s capital and largest city.
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The populous metropolis is an important center of history, commerce, culture, media, and education; hosted the production of successful films such as ‘Tár’, ‘Inglourious Basterds, and ‘Uncharted.
Related – Lesson Plan (2022): Where Was Action Movie Filmed?
