Original-Cin Q&A: Actor Matthias Schweighöfer on the Syrian women refugee athletes who inspired The Swimmers
By Bonnie Laufer
The opening night film at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival couldn’t have been more compelling choice.
An epic adventure drawn from a harrowing real life story, The Swimmers tells the remarkable true tale of sisters Yusra and Sara Mardini, who fled their home in war-torn Damascus to seek a new life in Europe and earn the chance to compete as swimmers in the Olympics.
Directed by Sally El Hosaini, this is a moving story of two young and tenacious female refugees, and their goals for a better life.
Manal Issa as Sara Mardini, Nathalie Issa as Yusra Mardini in The Swimmers.
Our Bonnie Laufer spoke with German actor Matthias Schweighöfer, who plays Sven Spannenkrebs who helped prepare Yusra to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
CLICK HERE to watch Bonnie’s interview with director Sally El Hosaini and the real life Yusra Madini.:
The Swimmers starts streaming on Netflix on November 23rd.
ORIGINAL-CIN: What an extraordinary story, inspirational and moving. What was your initial reaction when you were given the script and approached to star in the film?
MATTHIAS SCHWEIGHÖFER: I was really happy when (director) Sally El Hosaini called me and offered me this film. I had initially heard about the girls' story in 2016, the first time I met the real sisters at an award show.
Matthias Schweighöfer as Coach Spannenkrebs
They received an award and I was so impressed by their story that I thought, “Oh my God, someone has to make a movie out of this! And, five years later, Sally called me, and there was a chance to be part of this film. So I was super happy to sign the contract.
O-C: You play Sven, the coach who ultimately got Yusra to the Olympics. He is an incredible man in his own right. How did you connect with him, and did you do anything special to prepare to play this man?
SCHWEIGHÖFER: We met the first time at the pool, where he was training the young kids and he showed me around. He also showed me loads of videos of the girls and their swimming techniques when they were living in these apartments next to the pool.
It was so interesting because still till today, they are this team. They ask for advice and for help. They're still friends, practically. family. So it was interesting because Sven really helped me to understand that, first, what he did was listen to them and to their story, what they wanted to achieve and what they were looking for. And this was pretty impressive.
O-C: This story is sadly so relatable today, with so many people trying to escape war-torn countries.
SCHWEIGHÖFER: When I watched the film for the first time, I was so moved because it's such a heartwarming inspiring story and I understood this is not fiction, it's happening.
It's not long ago that the sisters experienced this crazy journey. And even just yesterday, Yusra said, when she realized she was swimming for the refugee team, she let it go and said, ‘Hey, I'm a voice for millions of refugees, because refugees are ordinary people.” It just reiterated how super proud I was to be part of this film.
ORIGINAL-CIN: Was there a scene that particularly stuck with you? For me, it has to be after the girls miraculously got that life-boat to shore with their fellow refugees, and they saw the thousands of life vests from the people who had made it alive before them.
SCHWEIGHÖFER: There were two scenes. I agree with you when they see these life vests and think, “Oh my God, we’re just like a few of thousands of other people who did that journey.” The second was when I asked Yusra for the first time, “What's your name?” And she says, “My name is Yusra.” It just hit me like a ton of bricks when I watched that back.
O-C: Are you a good swimmer yourself?
SCHWEIGHÖFER: You know, I can swim but I’m not great. I am good at floating. (Laughs)
O-C: After spending so much time with the real sisters and getting to know them, what did you learn about yourself by being around these inspirational women?
MATTHIAS SCHWEIGHÖFER: Yusra is so grounded. She and her sister are normal, young inspiring women and great human beings.
But still, Yusra’s a young woman and it was so interesting to see that she just fulfilled her dreams in a different way. She believed, she never gave up and she achieved her goals which was so inspiring for me to see.
Refugees are ordinary people who just want better lives, and they all have dreams. Whatever I can do, to help them, I’m there. If we all just think this way we can all make a difference.