Film Lens
The 2020 documentary miniseries 'Colonia Dignidad' examines the history of a sect led by Paul Schäfer, who established a youth home in post-war Germany before fleeing to Chile in 1961. In Chile, he and his followers created Colonia Dignidad, a village that was initially intended to be a utopia but quickly turned into a site of slave labor, violence, and sexual abuse. The series uses unpublished archival footage and survivor testimonies to chronicle the 50-year history of the colony.
After the military coup in 1973, Schäfer allied with Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet and secret police chief Manuel Contreras, facilitating the torture and murder of political opponents within the colony. The series meticulously reveals the harrowing experiences of victims and the complicity of those who supported the colony, providing a comprehensive look at its dark legacy.
Why Watch
- •See how Paul Schäfer manipulated his followers in Chile.
- •Find out about the colony's ties to Pinochet's regime.
- •Meet survivors sharing their harrowing experiences.
Did You Know
•Colonia Dignidad was established 350 kilometers south of Santiago, Chile.
•Paul Schäfer fled to Chile in 1961 after establishing a youth home in Germany.
•The colony devolved into a site of violence and sexual abuse within a short time.
•The series chronicles a 50-year saga of Colonia Dignidad.
Perfect For
True crime enthusiastsHistory buffsHuman rights advocates