It's not the subject of Est/Ouest, but one of the main characters is kicked off the Russian swim team because he *just floats around like a turd.* He explains it's because his grandmother just died, but that doesn't impress the fierce coach. He practices on his own, comes back, swims the 200 free (with open turns), but is denied a trip with the team to Austria because his parents were traitors, so he swims 6 miles in freezing water from Odessa before a handsomely paid Turkish captain picks him up, by prior agreement. He wears a Speedo and does breaststroke in addition to freestyle.*
*nota bene: I don't leave out important details.
Ruth Kazez
Almost forgot: big waves; he rides the crests. P.s. It's actually a good movie. Catherine DeNeuve still looks good. Not even Botox, she claims.
