Last Swim

Last Swim, directed and co-written by London-hailing filmmaker Sasha Nathwani, is a vibrant and deeply empathetic debut feature that, occasionally, begins to lose its sense of direction.

The film follows Ziba (Deba Hekmat) a talented young A-level student with a penchant for astrophysics who, following a diagnosis of an unnamed illness that is described as potentially fatal and threatens to derail her future academic career, embarks on a journey full of first experiences, new loves and self-discovery on A-Level results day. Ziba, who keeps her diagnosis hidden, enlists her unwitting college friends Tara (Lydia Fleming), Merf (Jay Lycurgo) and Shea (Solly McLeod) to join her on this day of melancholic celebration, providing each with an itinerary – the last chapter of which has ominously been left blank. The unexpected arrival of group newcomer Malcolm (Denzel Baidoo), a teenage footballing hopeful with a secret of his own, threatens to disturb the course of Ziba’s plans, for better or worse.

At its best, Last Swim is an emotionally rich examination of the impact of friendship that’s bolstered by a stellar young cast, particularly in Hekmat who takes a revelatory turn in her second feature film performance following her role in 2023’s Hoard, which also happens to mark her second collaboration with producer and co-writer Helen Simmons. At its worst, the character dynamics can be a little too sweet, and there is a sense of underdevelopment, most noticeably through the feature’s third act that hammers, just a little too hard, at the idea of the preciousness of life and, through the addition of one final and late dramatic moment, oversells the randomness in which life can be taken away. The cinematography can also feel a little over-cautious and commits to, like much contemporary British cinema, shallow focus close-ups and minimal camera movement that occasionally reminds us that this is a first-time feature.

While the movie falters in its final act, at its heart, Last Swim is a life-affirming tale of love and friendship that fixes its gaze towards the power of escapism that can only be provided by seeking refuge in those closest to you during moments of great uncertainty. It’s a heartfelt and sincere debut feature.

Ronan Fawsitt

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