Colonia (film) - my thoughts
Colonia Dignidad on the surface appeared as a charitable mission run by preacher Paul Shäfer (Michael Nyqvist), but beneath the surface it is worse than can be imagined. In the film, only once Lena is inside the remote organisation does she realise it is a cult, from which no one has escaped. Founded in the 1950's, Colonia Dignidad was originally established as a community set apart from the rest of the world. A place to preserve German culture, language and education, where the real world couldn't interfere. However, it evolved into a place of sin and distraught, as unspeakable crimes were committed by devilish individuals.
It's leader, Paul Shäfer, born in Germany, joined the Hitler Youth movement at a very young age, as well as serving as a medic in WWII. After the war he became a Baptist preacher, and set up several orphanages and charitable organisations. In 1959, he was charged with molesting children in his care, and soon after fled the country. He wound up in Chile with 70 square acres of land, and supposedly over 70 followers from his time in Germany. It was later discovered that Shäfer left Germany with many children too, after telling their parents they were on a "mission" and would be returned home soon. Needless to say those children never saw their own home again. He created extremely strict rules to be abided by, such as a ban on sex (which contradicted his own sexual actions toward children in the cult), and everyone must work 12 - 14 hours in order to be fed. Which still resulted in only bread or tea. He separated male and female, as well as dictating who they will marry.
As more people joined unknowing the extremities that occurred, it wasn't long until Colonia Dignidad was entirely self sufficient. Supplying timber, baked goods and meat that was sold worldwide, as well as the region's best health care. Surrounded by "protective" watchtowers and high voltage barbed wire, they were completely separated from the real world and didn't need to rely on anyone else.
When Shäfer was eventually tried for his sex crimes and human rights abuse, it was discovered that over 20 of Shäfer's accomplices were employees from Dachau, Auchwitz and Buchenwald. This meant that they knew how to keep someone alive while putting them through unbearable circumstances.
On May 24th 2006, Paul Shäfer was sentenced to 33 years in jail for his many heinous crimes. In 2010 at age 88 Shäfer died of a heart failure after only serving 4 of his 33 years imprisonment.
The film Colonia follows both Lena and Daniel as they experience first hand the abominable acts committed inside this community. Lena will do almost anything to find Daniel, even if it means being tortured and interrogated by Paul Shäfer himself. She later finds Daniel who acts disabled after being tortured to be overlooked and unsuspected. Daniel discovers that the community is also hiding illegal operations for the Chile secret Police (DINA). Through dangerous actions, Lena and Daniel manage to escape the strong grip of Shäfer, with photographic proof of the crimes committed. After dodging many German Embassy Officials who were also secretly involved in Colonia Dignidad, the film ends with Daniel and Lena in an aeroplane flying away from Shäfer and his men. Free at last.
One of the main themes in this film, is that of religion. How can you say no to Shäfer when God is "speaking" through him? Are there any moral limits when it comes to religion, is there a point where devotion goes too far? There are many examples of this theme through out the film. One of them is when Lena deliberately went and swam in the lake so that she would be humiliated that night in front of Shäfer and the men of the community. Because she knew that if Daniel was alive, he would be there and she would get to see him. She sits in front of Shäfer and his men as he tears her apart with cruel words. This man didn't only use physical abuse, but he used his words as weapons too. Telling her that how dare she pollute their pure water with her dirty, whorish body after he took he in like his own daughter. After he gave her everything she could ever desire (which was far from adequate), and she treated him like this. That as any loving father should, he will cleanse her soul of the devil by beating it out of her, and encouraging his men to do the same. Seeing Lena lying huddled on the floor to protect herself as grown men come to bash her made me feel sick. This is not religion, this is a cult, where people are brainwashed into beliefs that aren't their own. Where people have their human rights taken away from them, and where crimes are committed in the name of the Lord. Paul Shäfer used his power and control to manipulate and deceive these people, to force them to do things against their will, and to give them no opportunity to do otherwise. His gruelling lectures would terrify women into submission, and empower men to beat their wives, in the name of the Lord. They follow blindly like sheep and soak up every word Shäfer speaks, as if he is God himself. This is not religion, this is a man who abused his power and authority to gain control of others.
I myself am a Christian, and I feel like sometimes this is how the world views us. As blind, submissive sheep worshiping God and not thinking for ourselves, but I disagree. I personally don't absorb every word said in church, I think for myself, and believe in what I believe is the truth. I also can tell you that not all preachers are like Paul Shäfer. In fact I like to think that very few abuse their power in the manner that he did. Religion is a very important thing and it shouldn't be manipulated and twisted by those in power to suit them. To make their sins okay, so that they can sleep at night. I think that Christianity is NOT about the relationship between the Paul Shäfer's of the world, God and the individual, but between God and the individual. I think that Shäfer deprived these people of their human rights. To have freedom of speech, to believe in what they want to believe in, to be with who they want to be with, and to be who they are. I think this movie raised very interesting ideas that need discussing in today's society.
Watching this movie sparked something inside me that left me reeling and kept my head from touching the pillow. I immediately wanted to watch it again, and began researching online how much of this tale was true. I am constantly shocked by what goes on in this world. By what slips through the cracks without anyone noticing, what raises attention, and what is passed off. I am always nervous to turn on the television to see what next disaster, terrorist attack, or unfathomable crime has been committed. I know there are more places in the world just like Colonia Dignidad where children are being raped, women and men are being tortured and injustice falls like a blanket, encapsulating the towns. So why is nothing being done to change this? Why aren't the curtains falling and exposing these monsters? Why isn't the world fair? I know it sounds petty but why can't the world be fair. Why are we surrounded by fear and anger, anxiety and injustice? I think that as I grow up and slowly become more apart of the adult world, I discover things that have been hidden through out my childhood. However the thing that shocks me the most is when I ask adults why do these things happen, they tell me it's "just the way of the world" and "there's nothing I can do to change that, so just accept it". It's like they're the sheep! Why are we just accepting this? Why aren't we doing something to change it?! We are mindlessly following our leaders just like the people in Colonia Dignidad followed Shäfer. I think that in the world today, it is such a rare thing to think for ourselves. We are constantly flooded with social media, billboards, newspapers etc telling us the next craze, or the latest disaster. We are only fed the information that the people in power want us to see. Just like the people of Colonia Dignidad didn't know about the secret Police's illegal operations taking place right beneath their feet. So I just want to remind you to think for yourself, to look around you at the world, and where you can, use your voice. Because not everyone has the freedom to.
Colonia is a though provoking, heart breaking, rare insight to the cruelty of our world. The film is beautifully done with stellar acting from Brühl, Watson and Nyqvist, and a storyline that entices the reader to become submerged in this world. Following the romance and love story of Daniel and Lena made the film that little bit sweeter, and is a nicer path to follow for viewers who don't want to read too deeply into the real story hidden beneath. I think it is a movie that needed to be made, and there needs to be more movies like this. I highly recommend that you go watch it, but be prepared for a cruel hit of reality.
What I have written about is a combination of facts I have researched, and from the storyline of the quite historically accurate film Colonia. The only thing in the film that isn't true is the love story and the characters of Daniel and Lena.
By Isla Hewitt
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