Sara Mardini - Gegen den Strom

The Swimmers

Syrian sisters Sara and Yusar Mardini dreamed of competing in the Olympics as high-performance swimmers. But in 2015, they were forced to flee their homeland. When the engine of their overcrowded dinghy broke down on the high seas during the crossing, the sisters jumped into the water and kept the boat on course for three hours until it reached the shores of Lesbos. In the process, they saved lives. The dramatic story made headlines around the world. Eventually, Sara returned to Lesbos to volunteer with refugee aid, but in 2018 she was arrested and charged with smuggling and being a member of a criminal organization, among other charges. The film follows Sara over the course of four years as she fights for justice, culminating in a new beginning in Berlin.