Around 60 students attended a screening of “The Swimmers” with the movie’s subject and Olympian Yusra Mardini on Nov. 15.

UCLA’s Southwest Asian/North African Health Alliance, Students Organize for Syria and the Syrian American Medical Society hosted the event, which included the opportunity to ask Mardini questions, in Moore Hall. The biopic shows a young Mardini escaping civil and political unrest in Syria in 2015 and competing at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Following the viewing, Mardini answered live questions from the audience. After the Q&A, Mardini’s foundation sold swimming-themed tote bags designed by Sarah Nassar, the president of SWANA, some of which Mardini signed.

Nassar, a fourth-year human biology and society student, said she designed the bags and organized the event to raise awareness and educate people about Syrian refugees.

Though she is not a Syrian refugee herself, Nassar added that she felt it was necessary to educate and empower those around her.

Nora Tayara, a fourth-year microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics student who helped organize the event, said it gave student refugees a voice and helped educate other students about the topic.

Mardini’s story also resonated with other refugees in the audience.

As a Syrian also affected by the war, Celia Kebbeh, a fourth-year international development studies student, said the movie helped her navigate many emotions regarding her journey because of the ways Mardini reminds her of herself.

“It was my first time seeing representation on Syrian refugees or immigrants affected by the civil war. … (It) was so heartwarming to finally see that light was shed on us in a positive way.” she said. “My migration journey is a big part of my identity. Basically after the war, my whole life changed, and she reminds me a lot of myself.”

Mardini said in the Q&A that her story of escaping a war-torn country is not particularly unique.

“We were making ‘The Swimmers’ not because we wanted to share Sarah and Yusra’s story – we wanted to share millions of refugee stories,” she said.

Tayara, the president of SOS, also said the movie reflected the emotional hardship and toll being a refugee has on individuals and separated families.

“That movie encompassed all that, even by telling one girl’s story,” she said.

Mardini added in the Q&A that she is more than just a world-famous Olympic swimmer and is close to her family. She said her homesickness for Syria is often amplified by the fear of never seeing her relatives again.

Tayara said she also feels a split between her Middle Eastern and Western worlds, a fear slightly alleviated by Mardini’s reminder that you can create a home wherever you are.

Tayara added that home stems from the people you meet, love and surround yourself with.

Refugees leave their country because they have to, not because they want to, Mardini said during the Q&A.

“When we (refugees) get to Europe, or anywhere in the world, we just want a fair chance like anybody else.” Mardini said.