Beyond the Raging Sea tells the harrowing story of two Egyptian adventurers, Omar Samra and Omar Nour as they take on the world’s toughest row across the Atlantic.
Egyptian adventurers, Omar Samra (R) and Omar Nour (L) row against the waves as they race across the Atlantic.
Making its World Premiere at the Third Edition of Gouna Film Festival (GFF), Marco Orsini’s Beyond The Raging Sea follows the harrowing tale of two Egyptian adventurers, Omar Samra and Omar Nour (affectionately known as O2), as they take on the world’s toughest row, an unsupported, perilous 3,000 nautical mile journey from the Canary Islands to Antigua. The extreme journey is part of an annual ocean-rowing race called the Atlantic Challenge. They didn’t make it.
Eight days, and 500 miles into their journey across the Atlantic, Team O2 were hit by 45 knot winds and towering waves that caused their boat to capsize – their boat did not self-right as it was meant to do. The 12 hours that followed, deserted and floating in the rough seas in a small rubber raft (as well as literally in the sea trying to fix the small rubber raft), before they were rescued by a cargo ship which re-routed in answer to their mayday call, became a survival story of epic proportions.
Sponsored by DHL, and in collaboration with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and UNDP, Team O2 dedicated their row to raising awareness of the global refugee crises. In an ironic twist, Nour and Samra faced the same dangers, terrors and decisions of those they meant to recognize and relieve. Featuring jaw-dropping, you-are-there footage of a remarkable ordeal and rescue at sea, Beyond the Raging Sea is the gripping account of that experience narrated by those who lived it, capturing what they endured, what they felt and what it meant. In this film, an elite adventure introduces us to extraordinary people in exceptional circumstance, navigating existential threats and grueling ordeals, fighting for survival and what comes after.
Nour and Samra are world-class athletes. Omar Nour is the first Egyptian professional triathlete in history. He represents his country on the Olympic triathlon circuit and is the fastest Arabic-speaking triathlete in the world. Omar Samra is an adventurer, mountaineer, entrepreneur, inspirational speaker and future astronaut. He is the first Egyptian to climb Mount Everest and the 7 Summits and ski to both the Geographic South and North Pole (The Explorer’s Grand Slam).
“When we first decided to partner with the Omars it was because they not only represented some of our own values of can do and passion, but because their cause – the plight of refugees in need, is something that a global company like DHL cares deeply about,” says Ken Allen, CEO of DHL Express. “This film, which documents their incredible journey, brings this story of bravery and rescue to life but, more than that, it gives a voice to thousands who are unable to speak on an international stage. We are incredibly proud to be a part of that.”
“In 2018, six lives were lost on average in the Mediterranean every day. In a way, this documentary gives a voice to those who have been silenced while looking for safety and protection outside of their borders. It is our duty to tell their story and encourage the international community to exert every effort to put an end to this tragic loss of life,” said Mr Karim Atassi, UNHCR Egypt Representative.
A collaboration by DHL, UNDP, UNHCR and IEFTA, and Directed by Marco Orsini, Beyond The Raging Sea, will take place on Saturday, 21 September from 16:00-17:10 in the Audimax Theatre in TU Berlin.
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