To mark International Women's Day, a biographical film about the first woman to swim the English Channel will be screened in Pershore.

The Number 8 Cinema will show the film, Vindication Swim, on Monday 18 and Tuesday, March 19..

Vindication Swim tells the story of Mercedes Gleitze, a trailblazing British swimmer.

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The film is written and directed by Elliott Hasler and features British-Irish actress Kirsten Callaghan in her debut role, who took months of training in the English Channel for her debut role as Gleitze.

Also part of the star-studded cast is John Locke (Darkest Hour, Poor Things, The Favourite), James Wilby (Maurice, Gosford Park, Howards End), and Douglas Hodge (Joker, The Great, Black Mirror).

The narrative of the film explores Gleitze's battle against the elements and societal constraints of 1920s England.

Besides swimming the Channel, Mercedes completed several other reputed swims around the world, such as the Straits of Gibraltar, the Dardanelles, and the distance between Robben Island and Cape Town.

After another woman claimed the record, Mercedes found herself fighting to protect her legacy.

Though the name Mercedes Gleitze is largely lost in history, the film aims to reinvigorate her legacy.