Sara Mardini - Gegen den Strom

This documentary follows the experiences of Sara Mardini, a Syrian swimmer who became well-known for helping other migrants after fleeing the war in her home country. While volunteering for three years to rescue refugees, she was arrested by Greek authorities in August 2018. Accused of leading a criminal organization and involved in people smuggling and international espionage, she faced a potential prison sentence of up to 25 years. Filmed over a three-year period, the project explores her efforts to clear her name and her personal journey of self-discovery.

Directed and written by Charly W. Feldman, the film is a joint production between Germany and the United Kingdom by DOCDAYS Productions and SWR/Arte. The cast features Sara Mardini and her sister Yusra Mardini appearing as themselves, along with Seán Binder. The production also utilizes archive footage of Barack Obama, Matteo Salvini, and Carola Rackete. The film has a runtime of 88 minutes.