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The Swimmer

Play trailer Poster for The Swimmer 2022 1h 25m Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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92% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 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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The Swimmer

Critics Reviews

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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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Avi Offer NYC Movie Guru 10/08/2022
A tender, heartfelt and delightful coming-of-age story. Go to Full Review 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 Go to Full Review 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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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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. See more 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. See more Garry A @heavyg Mar 12 The main character was sympathetic, frustrating, and totally relatable. The ending was joyous and affirming. See more Rod O 02/25/2024 This movie promised much through the start but delivered little. Good performances from the cast but the storyline got lost in homophobia. It was ok. See more Arthur Garry K 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. See more 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. See more Read all reviews
The Swimmer

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Cast & Crew

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Adam Kalderon

Director

Omer Perelman Striks

Erez

Asaf Jonas

Nevo

Igal Reznik

Dema

Nadia Kucher

Paloma

Aviv Karmi

Actor

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The Swimmer

The Swimmer (2021) View more photos

Movie Info

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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