Brighton director's film Vindication Swim to be released in March

Vindication Swim tells the story of Mercedes Gleitze who swam the Channel from near Calais to St Margaret's Bay, near Dover, in 15 hours and 15 minutes on October 7, 1927.

It will come out on March 8, which is International Women's Day. 

Mercedes Gleitze was the first English woman to swim the Channel

The film, directed by Elliott Hasler, from Hove, shows Mercedes’ struggle to overcome the English Channel’s cold temperatures, the oppressive society of 1920s England and her fight to retain her record and legacy after it is put under scrutiny.

Kirsten Callaghan plays Mercedes Gleitze (Image: Vindication Swim)

Despite her remarkable achievement, Mercedes’ swim was put into jeopardy after a competitor called Edith Gade, played by Victoria Summer, faked completing the crossing less than a week later in just over 13 hours.

• READ MORE: Actress spent 'hours in the water' during filming

Suspicions quickly arose around the legitimacy of that claim with Edith confessing that it was a hoax.

With that, Mercedes’ attempt was also put under heavy scrutiny.

But defiant Mercedes said she would “do it again”.

Elliott Hasler is the director of Vindication Swim (Image: Vindication Swim)

Just two weeks after her successful crossing, Mercedes would take on the daunting challenge once more in what would be her ninth attempt overall.

Mercedes is played by Kirsten Callaghan, while her mentor Harold Best, who represents multiple people who helped Mercedes with her training, is played by John Locke.

The film features prominent locations in Sussex including Newhaven Harbour, the Seven Sisters cliffs, Eastbourne seafront, Worthing town hall and Cuckmere Haven.

Brighton swimmer Mercedes Gleitze made history more than once

Director Elliott previously said: “Filming out at sea was never straightforward but it was really worthwhile. I think doing that was such a rewarding experience.

“Everything was real. What you saw on film was Kirsten Callaghan in the water. We wanted to pay homage to Mercedes’ endurance.”

He added that he was drawn to the story upon finding out Mercedes was born in Brighton in 1900.

The 23-year-old said: “That was partly what drew me to the story, we share the same home town.

“That’s also what I love about being in this cinema, it’s been here for over 100 years. Mercedes may well of come here herself and watched a film here back in the 1920s.”