Mercedes Gleitze: film tells trailblazing swimmer’s story
A film based on the true story of Mercedes Gleitze, who in 1927 became the first British woman to swim the English Channel, will open in UK cinemas on International Women's Day, 8 March 2024.
Vindication Swim depicts Gleitze’s struggle in overcoming both the cold waters of the English Channel and the oppressive society of 1920s England. After a rival comes forward claiming to have accomplished the same Channel crossing feat, she is forced into battle to retain her record and her legacy.
"I want audiences to feel as if they are swimming right alongside Mercedes on her incredible journey and share in her love affair with the water."
Written and directed by Elliott Hasler and featuring a British cast including Kirsten Callaghan in her first film role of Gleitze, the film has won several awards, including best feature at the New York International Film Awards, best director at the Chicago Filmmakers Awards and best actress at the Atlantic Bridge Film Festival.
Hasler said, "It was our aim to really submerge the audience into the waters of the English Channel and in that way hope to pay homage to the spirit of this incredible woman.
“Everything you see on screen is real, all shot without the use of tanks, green screens or body doubles. I want audiences to feel as if they are swimming right alongside Mercedes on her incredible journey and share in her love affair with the water."
Born in Brighton, East Sussex, in 1900, Mercedes Gleitze was a professional swimmer, whose first significant record was for swimming in the River Thames for 10 hours 45 minutes.
She attracted widespread attention when, on her eighth attempt, she became the first British woman to swim the Channel. However, when in the following days another woman claimed to have completed the swim in a faster time, Gleitze’s record came under doubt and she was forced to undertake a vindication swim.
In the years that followed, the trailblazing swimmer went on to set several more records and became Rolex’s very first brand ambassador, due to her watch remaining intact during her Channel swim.
In January 2022, a blue plaque for Gleitze was unveiled at her birthplace in Freshfield Road, Brighton.
Vindication Swim is produced by Relsah Films, Sea High Productions and Arden Entertainment and distributed by Picnik Entertainment.