The film Long Distance Swimmer addresses humanitarian efforts towards refugees and explores the backlash humanitarians have faced for helping refugees at ports. Set in Europe (Berlin and Greece), the film follows swimmer Sara Mardini to explore the criminalization of humanitarianism in Greece. The film provides awareness on the precarity of migration and the persecution of humanitarian aid to refugees.

Mardini, who originates from Syria, became a refugee in Greece after war broke out in Syria in 2015. Having been taught how to swim by her father, Sara and her sister, Yusra, were able to save their boat going from Turkey to Greece from drowning by swimming and holding on to it for three and a half hours. This feat earned them international applause. As swimming had been a big part of her life with dreams to compete in the Olympics, this change was drastic for her and sprung other issues such as finding a new purpose in a new country. Her difficulties are expressed multiple times when she says she’s useless now. 

Anti-immigration sentiments have continued to increase in Europe, and these countries continue to make efforts to reduce migration to their countries. European Countries bordered by International waters  have destroyed boats on international seas heading to their ports, and force boats filled with refugees back to their point of origin. This effort towards reducing migration has also resulted in the criminalization of humanitarian effort.

Sara Mardini has continued to offer humanitarian aid to refugees at their point of entry by providing blankets and food. Alongside 24 other people, Greece has accused them of fraud, espionage and forgery. Mardini and her friend, Sean Binder, have been arrested for their activism and spent 106 days in jail.  Mardini and Sean Binderface up to 20 years in prison and, with the continual postponement of the trial, they cannot move on.

The effect of the criminalization is the reduced zeal to do humanitarian work. At various points in the documentary, it is expressed that the criminalization of providing aid reduces people’s will to do this kind of work that is essential and lifesaving.  Mardini also vents how she feels unmotivated at times to do this because of the legal consequences she has had to experience.

On account of her compelling story, Mardini has the privilege of being a popular figure who can garner enough media coverage, but Sean argues that regular people who are criminalized for their humanitarian efforts may face worse outcomes without this privilege.

Exploring the topic from the point of view of a former refugee allows viewers to realize the mental effect of this form of migration and how it changes the life of people.Mardini, after saving her boat, had a spine problem and could not swim anymore. 

In the words of Mardini, drowning should never be an option for refugees. Water is a significant aspect of Mardini’s life as well as the humanitarian work she now does, hence the use of swimming and water imagery in the film.

The 2024 ReFrame Festival runs from January 25th-February 4th. A list of films, tickets to events and screenings, and more information can be found on the Festival Website.