Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » TV » REVIEW: ‘Nevenka: Breaking the Silence’ Should Not Go Unheard

REVIEW: ‘Nevenka: Breaking the Silence’ Should Not Go Unheard

Olive St. SauverBy Olive St. Sauver03/07/20214 Mins Read
Nevenka: Breaking the Silence
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Nevenka: Breaking the Silence

A lot of the recent popular documentary series on Netflix have focused on crimes in the United States. Nevenka: Breaking the Silence instead spotlights a historic case in Spain. It was the first time a sexual harassment lawsuit had been made against a politician, and even more notable was that Nevenka Fernández won. For English speakers, if you Google, there isn’t much about the case, not even a Wikipedia entry. While Nevenka Fernández’s case took place 20 years ago, it will sound painfully familiar for many. Hearing her tell her story will likely be triggering for those who have gone through similar situations, but for anyone else, the series should be mandatory viewing.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

In 1999, Fernández was elected to the city council in Ponferrada, Spain alongside mayor Ismael Alvarez. What proceeded was years worth of sexual harassment and intimidation in the workplace by Alvarez towards her. Nevenka: Breaking the Silence is phenomenally directed by Maribel Sánchez Maroto. Nothing is amped up for drama or feels sensationalized. Even the use of musical score is subtle, and often very serious moments have no, or incredibly quiet orchestral backing. The camera mostly cuts to panning shots of locations that Nevenka Fernández recalls while telling her story. That is what stands out the most about Nevenka: Breaking the Silence. It is Nevenka Fernández’s story first and foremost.

There are other people involved in the case interviewed throughout, including lawyers, psychiatrists, and journalists who met Nevenka. Ultimately, however, the driving force is Fernández. She is the one in charge of telling her experience. The documentary is entirely centered on her agency and choice in what she recounts (and doesn’t). There is a painful moment where Fernández openly says that she will not talk about a particularly triggering part of her abuse again, so instead the documentary just gives viewers the audio of her original testimony.

The documentary discusses the case’s relevance as a forerunner to the global #MeToo movement, as well as the cultural implications it had as the first of its kind in Spain. Fernández discusses how she was only 26 at the time, and people expected her to just leave her job quietly. A particularly horrifying moment shows a protest of approximately 3,000 people, who gathered to defend Alvarez and victim-blame Fernández. The case was also the first time a state attorney had to be replaced midway, due to his treatment of Fernández during the trial.

All of this cultural context is important, but it isn’t dwelled on. Nevenka: Breaking the Silence is striking in its simplicity, and that is far from meant to sell it short. The series is Nevenka’s story. It is one story in a sea of many. It doesn’t try to place Fernández on a pedestal as a pioneer of a global movement. The documentary keeps its focus on giving agency to Fernández. Additionally, what makes it required viewing is the fact that it is an upfront glimpse into the process of reporting sexual harassment in the workplace.

Spain is a different country than the United States, but much of the media and social pushback Fernández received is the same. She was accused to trying to improve her career, had her personal life dug up, and was questioned for not saying anything earlier. Nevenka Fernández may have won her case, but she ultimately left Spain to live her life and escape the stigma. While that is horrible, Nevenka: Breaking the Silence ends hopeful. Fernández acknowledges that she is “that Nevenka,” but she is also so much more, and has a life and family. Fernández is not defined by her trauma, and that is a grain of hope viewers can hang on to as the credits roll.

Nevenka: Breaking the Silence is a painful, empowering account of the first sexual harassment lawsuit against a politician in Spain. Its direction gives agency to Fernández, as she tells her story to viewers on her terms. Greater cultural context is examined, but not forced to put a single woman on a pedestal. For those who it is safe to watch, the documentary should be required viewing as a blunt glimpse into the traumatic process of reporting sexual harassment.

Nevenka: Breaking the Silence is streaming now on Netflix.

 

Nevenka: Breaking the Silence
  • 10/10
    Rating - 10/10
10/10

TL;DR

Nevenka: Breaking the Silence is a painful, empowering account of the first sexual harassment lawsuit against a politician in Spain. Its direction gives agency to Fernández, as she tells her story to viewers on her terms. Greater cultural context is examined, but not forced to put a single woman on a pedestal. For those who it is safe to watch, the documentary should be required viewing as a blunt glimpse into the traumatic process of reporting sexual harassment.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous Article‘Sea of Solitude: The Director’s Cut’ Brings New Features To An Amazing Game (Switch)
Next Article ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Star Wars: Age of Resistance-The Official Collector’s Edition’
Olive St. Sauver

Olive is an award-winning playwright with BAs in English and Theatre. At BWT she is a manga and anime critic, with an additional focus on mental health portrayals in media and true crime.

Related Posts

Helluva Boss Season 2 But Why Tho
9.5

REVIEW: ‘Helluva Boss’ Season 2 Is A Deeper Dive Into Love And Power

09/11/2025
Helluva Boss Season 1 Episode 7 But Why Tho
9.0

REVIEW: ‘Helluva Boss’ Season 1 Is Full Of Violence, Chaos, And Heart

09/11/2025
Sandra Yi Sencindiver stars as Yutani in Alien Earth Episode 6
9.0

REVIEW: ‘Alien: Earth’ Episode 6 — “The Fly”

09/10/2025
Task promotional key art featuring Mark Ruffalo from HBO
7.0

REVIEW: ‘Task’ Episode 1 — “Crossings”

09/08/2025
Aneesha Malik in Invasion Season 3 Episode 3
9.0

RECAP: ‘Invasion’ Season 3 Episode 3 — “Infinitas”

09/07/2025
Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 3
9.0

RECAP: ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Episode 3 — “Another Rick Up My Sleeve”

09/06/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11
8.5
Anime

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 11 – “Hey, It’s a Kaiju”

By Allyson Johnson09/11/2025

The ragtag group faces down the mysterious kaiju in the thrilling and beautifully animated DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here