Vindication Swim

This is a beautifully shot true biopic about the struggles of Mercedes Gleitze trying to prove, in a male dominate world, that she did in fact swim the English Channel.

It is shot in black and white but also in colour for all the water scenes. No green screens were used and all the swimming action is done by the actress herself. The film was written, filmed and directed by Elliot Hasler who remarkably has had no formal training in film making.

It is well worth a visit to a local cinema to see and will take you on an emotional roller coaster of a ride as you cheer on Mercedes to succeed seemingly joining the crowds of onlookers cheering her on near the end.

It just shows you a film doesn't have to be a large Hollywood block buster of a film to be just as enjoyable and Vindication Swim shows you just what the best of independent films can be. Don't miss it.

A small girl stands on a lonely beach, staring at the mysterious sea. She feels at home here, the sea beckons her.

In the 1920s, far from where the Jazz Age thrives in parts of America, but Mercedes Gleitze , a young British woman who works as a shorthand-typist; who is bored, and feels she is of no importance.

She remembers the sea, the feeling of freedom Could she swim across the English Channel? She approaches the authorities who are contemptuous of any woman doing such a thing. Her hopes are smothered.

Swimming the Channel is largely about endurance, not being willing to give up, rather like a boxer being knocked down and getting up again. And again. This film captures that feeling, which I remember well from my long distance running days.

Ms Gleitze is determined, especially when she finds a man who swam the Channel many years before, a man who finally agrees to train her. She has to fight both the sea and society.

And just when you think the film is nearing its end, a crisis blows up.

Normally I avoid films about sports but found this one quite compelling.

This film has an intimacy about it that subtly wove its way through the remarkable story of Mercedes Gleitze which is all the more so as it's almost 100 years since her successful crossing of the Channel.

The period nature of the film and atmosphere created with the mix of colour and black and white cinematography was as inspired and original as Mercedes herself.

The lead was uncannily similar in looks to Mercedes and portrayed the complexity of her character with understated simplicity that neither overshadowed the story or her achievements.

Ably matched by the supporting character with whom one can only admire as well as feel great empathy.

It was a film with meaning, tension, grit, sadness and inspiration and a reminder that whist sexism and misogyny is not as prevalent now as 100 years ago females are still fighting for equality in sport and the workplace.

That the film exists at all is something of a miracle. Originally planned to take a few months, the shoot extended to three years, with the swimming footage alone going from three or four planned sessions to nearer thirty. Made on a miniscule budget, the production pulled through thanks to the dedication and passion of all involved, from writer/directer Elliott Hasler through the two principal cast members Kirsten Callaghan and John Locke, to the many extras, theatre groups, town councils and others who went above and beyond.

And was it worth the effort? Yes. Although the budget restrictions show in the tightness of a few of the shots, what does fill the screen is beautifully realised; major kudos to the production design team. Costumes, vehicles, sets - everything looks marvellously authentic. And if the sea-set stuff looks real, it was - they were out there in The English Channel, in a couple of small boats for hours on end, with no body doubles.

Mercedes Gleitze had a fascinating life, of which this is only a small part, but the narrow focus works, enabling the drama of the channel crossings and attendant disputes to be teased out in just the right amount of detail. Kirsten Callaghan and John Locke make an appealing if oddly-matched pair at the centre of it all, in a story about integrity and self-belief, and the end is unexpected - and unexpectedly moving. The conclusion shouldn't work but it does, partly thanks to Daniel Clive McCallum's excellent score, but also due to restrained acting on the part of the leads, and some excellent staging. I was really quite moved, both times I saw it.

Being a channel swimmer myself (relay only) I found this a fascinating watch. The challenges of the channel are captured perfectly in the film, I almost felt sea sick at one point, it was so realistic. I felt for the rower, never mind Mercedes. The film clearly portrayed how driven Mercedes was to overcome the prejudice's of the time, being a working class female of German heritage, and this was eloquently emphasised by the sound effects. The film tenderly told the story of Mercedes incredible achievements and what drove her to them. The film makers are to be commended in their portrayal of this period piece, which considering it's a low budget film was extremely good. Go and see it!