Atrocities Of The Chilean Dictatorship Inspire The Film Colonia

Emma Watson and Daniel Brühl star in historical thriller

For more than 40 years, between 1961 and 2005, a forest in southern Chile, near Santiago, has hidden one of the greatest atrocities in history. A fanatic religious and fascist cult controlled by a former Nazi nurse Paul Schäfer collaborated with the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet. At the time, the place dubbed Cologne Dignity tortured more than 300 Germans, all subjected to physical punishment and mental manipulation. In addition, 20 orphaned Chilean children were sexually abused.

This real horror story was taken to theaters by German director Florian Gallenberger in 2015. In the story, Lena (Emma Watson) and Daniel (Daniel Brühl) live a German couple of boyfriends. He works in support of President Salvador Allende. Already she is a flight attendant. After this brief presentation, the military coup (1973) takes place. The boy is taken by the secret police to the Colony Dignity. Without knowing what is going on or what awaits her, Lena follows his whereabouts.

Daniel Brühl and Emma Watson in Colonia (Photo: IMDb)

The horror and the atrocities begin to be revealed as soon as each of them arrives at the place. Actor Michael Nyqvist represents Paul Schäfer, the cult leader. A competent performance, your presence generates disgust and fear.

To compose the scenes, the director investigated the subject during five years, besides visiting the region countless times. Even so, according to reports of survivors, the film does not even come close to the actual atrocities. In the long, the story is divided into chapters. Photos of the time are also used as a resource with the intention of reconstructing the site in detail.

Only five people were able to escape from this complex. After leaving Schäefer, the place was renamed Villa Bavaria. He died in prison at the age of 88. The inhabitants received government support and psychological treatment. Many of them returned to Germany.

The victims denounced the facts before the Chilean courts. Currently, there are several causes open. The German Parliament approved on 30 June 2017 the creation of an aid fund.

Little of this history has been unmasked. The film was considered influential as a complaint, and also to assist in the release of the files.