Penrith Cinema to join the nationwide screening of Vindication Swim for International Women's Day.

Vindication Swim is coming to the Alhambra cinema in Penrith on the 8th of March in celebration of International Women’s Day. 

Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Elliott Hasler, Vindication Swim stars British-Irish actress Kirsten Callaghan in her debut role as Mercedes Gleitze, who trained for months in the English Channel before filming began. 

The film also stars John Locke (Darkest Hour, Poor Things, The Favourite) alongside James Wilby (Maurice, Gosford Park, Howards End) and Douglas Hodge (Joker, The

Great, Black Mirror).

Vindication Swim dives into the extraordinary life of Mercedes Gleitze, who in 1927 became the first British woman to swim the English Channel. The film depicts Mercedes’ upstream struggle in overcoming both the cold waters of the English Channel and the oppressive society of 1920s England. However, after a rival comes forward claiming to have accomplished the same feat, Mercedes is forced into battle to retain her record and her legacy.

Mercedes Gleitze, a name that has been largely lost to history, also became the first person to complete many of other incredible swims around the world, including the Straits of Gibraltar, the Dardanelles and distance between Robben Island and Cape Town. 

Producers of the file hope that releasing Vindication Swim on the 8th March to coincide with International Women's Day 2024, presents an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Mercedes Gleitze a trailblazing woman on a globally recognised day dedicated to honouring and commemorating women.

full screening times and dates for the film showing at Penrith's Alambra can be found via http://penrith-alhambra.co.uk/penrith/out-now