I'm Nevenka (Spanish: Soy Nevenka) is a 2024 biographical drama film directed by Icíar Bollaín from a screenplay by Bollaín and Isa Campo starring Mireia Oriol and Urko Olazabal. It depicts the sexual harassment case involving Ismael Álvarez and Nevenka Fernández, respectively mayor and municipal councillor in the local government of Ponferrada, which elicited strong public scrutiny and controversy in early 21st-century Spain.
Plot
The plot dramatizes the case of Nevenka Fernández, a young municipal finance councillor in Ponferrada who faced widespread scrutiny and societal backlash in Spain after filing a complaint against Mayor Ismael Álvarez [es] for sexual harassment, winning her case notwithstanding.[1][2]
The screenplay was written by Icíar Bollaín alongside Isa Campo.[5] The film is a Movistar Plus+ original produced by Kowalski Films, Feelgood Media, and Nva Peli AIE; in association with Garbo Produzioni.[2] Shooting locations included Bilbao and Zamora.[1][7]
The film was released theatrically in Spain on 27 September 2024 by Buena Vista International.[5][12] Epicentre Film acquired French rights to the film.[13]
Alfonso Rivera of Cineuropa wrote that the film "is impeccably crafted", but "has a tendency to lean towards TV-movie territory, taking minimal risk in its mise-en-scène".[15]
Eulàlia Iglesias of Fotogramas rated the film 3 out of 5 stars, highlighting Olazabal's performance as the best thing about the film, while considering that if you have seen the series, the film tastes of little.[16]
Gregorio Belinchón of El País assessed that I'm Nevenka is "important and necessary, but cinema cannot be built from the label of 'a necessary film'", although, fortunately, the film overcomes this burden.[17]
David Jenkins of Little White Lies commented that I'm Nevenka is "a trashy, tabloid-y film, but it's a fine one, and a story that still needs to be told again, and again, and again".[18]
