The Swimmer

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The Swimmer

2022

1h 25m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Popcornmeter

92%

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13 Reviews

73%

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Erez, a rising star in the Israeli swimming scene, arrives at a godforsaken training camp held in a boarding school, where the one to win the competition gets a ticket to the Olympics. There he meets the beautiful and talented Nevo, who awakens subconscious desires in him. However, their swimming coach does not believe in friendship between competitors. Warned to stay away from Nevo, Erez is still too attracted to him. In between practices, he attempts to act upon his feelings and understands that winning a medal is less important than winning Nevo's heart.

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Carlos Aguilar

Los Angeles Times

10/14/2022

Five chiseled male bodies race with vigorous agility in “The Swimmer,” a brightly colored and cleverly erotic queer sports drama.

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Elizabeth Weitzman

TheWrap

10/06/2022

The movie keeps us guessing, as cinematographer Ofer Inov shows off particularly impressive skills with so many deft fluctuations in tenor.

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Kyle Turner

New York Times

10/06/2022

“The Swimmer” distinguishes itself from other L.G.B.T.Q. sports dramas less in what the story is and more in how it’s told.

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Avi Offer

NYC Movie Guru

10/08/2022

A tender, heartfelt and delightful coming-of-age story.

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Gary M. Kramer

Gay City News

10/07/2022

There are waves of homoeroticism and a strong gay undercurrent in “The Swimmer,” writer/director Adam Kalderon’s intense, arty drama about Israeli Olympic hopefuls.... [A] beguiling film

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Steven Warner

In Review Online

10/05/2022

The Swimmer isn’t so much a movie as an 80-minute excuse to show ripped men in as little clothing as possible.

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Adam

10/19/2022

Overall a very touching and heartfelt film about the sacrifice it takes to compete in sports at such a high level, and whether that sacrifice is worth it. Loved the surprise ending as well, although Erez could’ve had a bit more conflict resolution.

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Daniel F

10/09/2022

While the premise of the movie indicates a brewing relationship between the two male leads, in actuality no real relationship ensues. It becomes a brow beating example of control, devaluation and homophobia within elite circles that prepare swimmers for entry into the Olympics. And it is a harrowing ride for the star of the movie, who is filled with sadness, humiliation and dealing with a culture that aims to break the human spirit.

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Garry A

@heavyg 03/12/2025

The main character was sympathetic, frustrating, and totally relatable. The ending was joyous and affirming.

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Arthur Garry K

@RT21724151 01/20/2024

Excellent film! Full of strength and heart, moral compass and passion, and even in the ending, kindness and triumph. I love how in the closing scene only Paloma and Erez, got it. Great job to all the actors and to the director, you made this shine, and Erez gave the perfect Victory sign. Loved the film, and everyone in it.

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Lev R

@BjornOslo 05/22/2023

Okay, there's certainly eye candy here, but the story is a mess. Maybe it was cut down to under 90 minutes and that's the problem. The coach's sudden change of allegiance, so to speak, doesn't make sense since nothing that the film's lead (Erez) has done warrants being ditched. Perhaps we're meant to think the coach is a closet case, but if so, that needed to be clearer. And the end was ridiculous both for how the competition was interrupted by a fantasy dance and because the lead who basically said swimming was his life apparently let his rival win. BS. Israel has produced many fine, complex queer films--this is not one of them.

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dean l

@RT79915937 10/20/2022

I made it a point to catch (and not miss) this film as it had been extended, the run I mean. It was beautifully shot, extremely believable and well-acted, emotional, poignant and surpassed by far merely being eye candy. I would like to see it again.

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Adam Kalderon

Director

Omer Perelman Striks

Erez

Asaf Jonas

Nevo

Igal Reznik

Dema

Nadia Kucher

Paloma

Aviv Karmi

Actor

Punch

79%

80%

Punch

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TRAILER

for Punch

BEAUTY

22%

13%

BEAUTY

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TRAILER

for BEAUTY

Minyan

93%

53%

Minyan

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TRAILER

for Minyan

In from the Side

54%

88%

In from the Side

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TRAILER

for In from the Side

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Synopsis

Erez, a rising star in the Israeli swimming scene, arrives at a godforsaken training camp held in a boarding school, where the one to win the competition gets a ticket to the Olympics. There he meets the beautiful and talented Nevo, who awakens subconscious desires in him. However, their swimming coach does not believe in friendship between competitors. Warned to stay away from Nevo, Erez is still too attracted to him. In between practices, he attempts to act upon his feelings and understands that winning a medal is less important than winning Nevo's heart.

Director: Adam Kalderon
Producer: Naama Pyritz
Screenwriter: Adam Kalderon
Distributor: Strand Releasing
Production Co: Israel Film Fund
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: Hebrew
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 7, 2022, Limited
Runtime: 1h 25m

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