Ni una mas: 5 things we learned from watching the series

Is called Not one more (Not one lessin Italian), la new Netflix series which, since it arrived on the platform, about two weeks ago, has been solid at the top of the most viewed titles. The title, a clear reference to the feminist and transfeminist movement of the same name, suggests the themes that will be touched on in each of the 8 episodes: there are women at the center of everything – sometimes adolescents, sometimes more adults – who experience sexual harassment and violence, patriarchy and chauvinism, mental health problems, but also the strength that comes from being supported by other women in difficulties and in their own growth. Inspired by the novel of the same name by Miguel Sáz Carral, the series shows in a realistic way (no spoilers!) the bumpy path of those who decide to report a rape. But it is also an excellent point of view on what it means to be a teenager, but above all a woman in this historical moment. Here are 5 things we learned (or understood) watching Nì una mas:

GENDER VIOLENCE HAS VARIOUS DECLINATIONS

In this series, we are talking about repeated sexual violence perpetrated by a person in a condition of psychological and social superiority. But it is not the only form of gender violence: there is the more subtle one of Alberto, Nata’s boyfriend, who continually debases her and considers her a simple sexual object, there is that of Hernán, incapable of understanding predatory behavior and how it is wrong to take advantage of a person in an altered psychophysical state, and there is that of Nata’s mother who scolds her daughter because she found the courage to rebel from a toxic relationship.

SOCIAL MEDIA CAN BE BOTH NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE

The duality of social media, in Not one moreis particularly relevant because if on the one hand they are used to bully and harass the protagonist Alma, on the other they become fundamental when it comes to reporting a rapist. They are the tool that helps Berta to free herself, in part, from the weight of her story, but also to help other girls who have suffered the same, creating a common front of solidarity and activism against violence and harassment. Social media, for better or worse, amplifies everything at an exponential level, but in the first case, the shock wave that could result has extremely positive effects.

MANY MEN DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT VIOLENCE IS

The series compares two types of men: Alberto and Hernán. If the first is well aware of adhering to a certain toxic male behavior, on the other there is Hernán who is not clear on what actions can be considered violence. He doesn’t understand it because he wasn’t educated to do so, because he isn’t clear on how important a person’s consent is to having a sexual relationship. However, a little message of hope: when he comes to the realization that what he did was wrong, he decides to attend a support group and deny his actions. Yet another confirmation that sexual and emotional education, in these situations, are very important.

TALKING OR REPORTING CAN TRIGGER A POSITIVE CYCLE

It is difficult to report or talk about having suffered violence and it often happens that many victims decide to hide what they have suffered with enormous consequences from a psychological point of view. However, those who manage to find the courage to open up, as seen in this series, may be lucky enough to receive help not only from their closest loved ones, such as parents, but also from their friends or even strangers.. And, when you suffer sexual violence, a female support network can make a real difference in dealing with the situation.

MASCHILISM IS NOT DEAD YET (UNFORTUNATELY!)

The mistake we often risk falling into is to think that machismo is the prerogative of the older or more adult generations. Instead, as demonstrated by various studies, male chauvinist logic and mentality are well rooted even in the younger generations: certain male models are still very present and become the only possible ones, especially in certain groups. Obviously it is women who pay the price, but also those who feel crushed by this logic and, to prove themselves dominant among others, become aggressive and violent. If you still have doubts, therefore, that machismo and patriarchy produce only negative effects, by watching the series, they will certainly diminish.