User Reviews

I am not a critic but I must say the acting was very good in this film. I am also not a lover of many Spanish films but the acting was excellent. I wanted to hit Belen Rueda as the Mother for not helping her child and in a way even more than the Father. I cant fathom that out myself. I found it dragged out too long and was very slow moving. (almost 10 seconds on a bus doing nothing). There was no twist, no surprise, no revenge and I hoped for more at the end but I stuck it out. Over all more of an annoying than a emotional film. Sorry!

In 'No Tengas Miedo' (Don't Be Afraid), Montxo Armendáriz tells a disturbing story of child sexual abuse through the perspective of a young survivor Silvia who was molested and raped from the age of 7. The storytelling is quite simplistic and subtle. Armendáriz does not go over the top in conveying what he wants to stress. He successfully avoids the use of clichés. The film itself has a poetic feel but that of a sad poem. The characterization is well done. I wonder how much of the film is based on one's experience as it felt very real.

The execution is thankfully simple. The director uses of images one can relate to on a daily basis. The cinematography is solid and the quiet score is well-fitting. There are no graphic images but the suggestive rape sequences themselves are chilling and difficult to watch. The sequences that follow a confused and tormented Silvia are handled with élan.

Another highlight are the performances. Lluís Homar's detestable Padre is revolting. His portrayal sends a chill down the spine for that is how a majority of child molesters are: liked and respected by friends and colleagues while behind closed door they commit their disgusting deeds. Belén Rueda's Madre couldn't have been an easy role to play but obviously Rueda can pull it off. Her Madre too is a despicable for not only turning a blind eye but to abandon her daughter, leaving her all alone with a monster knowing what was happening. Michelle Jenner is remarkable in her impressive portrayal of the quietly suffering Silvia. They are supported by an excellent team of actors.

I didn't know very much about the film before deciding on it. I was under the impression that it was a thriller of some kind and what I ended up with was an intense human drama told effectively by Montxo Armendáriz. In the end, 'No Tengas Miedo' is a sensible story of hope and survival.

The film shows no accountability for the abuse by a grownup of a 6 year old and ongoing sexual abuse.

Such menare usually pedophilesd and pray on multipkle victims that is not explored either.

On the same count the mother gets away scott free for leaving her daughter with the abuser, even though we find the girl begged her to take her with when the mother left.

Childhood abus especially by a father causes extreme cognitive dissonance and fear, the child freezes and is silenced having no safe place to go.

For this young woman to go back to get abused again after leaving the situation is also way off the mark.

This movie is off the mark completely although it portrays the cognitive dissonance this girl is living very susinctly.

The father needed to be reported and jailed for his crime.

The film is almost saying this type of abuse is ok and survivors.

Interestingly the clips of other survivors speaking of their abuse is right on, but there is a disconnect with the narrative we are watching.