Kai Christiansen
Director
Colonia Dignidad (2020)
Season 1
The self-proclaimed preacher Paul Schäfer gathered people around him in post-war Germany. The sect founded a youth home near Cologne. But in 1961 Schäfer had to flee. Many followers followed him to Chile. 350 kilometers south of Santiago, far away from civilization, they begin building the Colonia Dignidad. A supposed model village with workshops, agriculture, livestock breeding was being created. But paradise became hell because slave labor, violence and sexual abuse soon became a part of everyday life. After the military coup in 1973, Schäfer served the new rulers: secret police chief Manuel Contreras and dictator Augusto Pinochet now came and went in the colony, while the opponents of the terrorist regime are tortured and killed in the cellars. Using unpublished archive material and contemporary witness statements, this 4-part documentary miniseries traces the complex, 50-year history of perpetrators, victims, supporters and opponents of this place that became the epitome of evil.
Released March 10, 2020
Episode 52 min
None+
Genres: Documentary, History
Keywords: mdblist.imdb-tv-mini-series, imdb.tv-mini-series, tmdb.colonia-dignidad
Production Companies: Canal 13, Surreal Films, Ministerio de las Culturas, las Artes y el Patrimonio de Chile, ARTE, LOOKS + 2 more, Südwestrundfunk, Westdeutscher Rundfunk
Network: ARTE
S1E1 - In Paradise
Self-proclaimed preacher, Paul Schäfer from Bonn, emigrates with his community to Chile in 1961. About 350 kilometres south of Santiago, far away from all civilization, they found Colonia Dignidad, the "colony of dignity". In the middle of untouched wilderness, they build an ideal German village with workshops, agriculture, cattle breeding and a hospital for the suffering Chilean population. A model of solidarity and sincerity, it seems. Paul Schäfer, however, is pursuing his own agenda.
March 10, 2020, midnight
S1E2 - Long Shadows
300 Germans in Chile, right at the end of the world, have dedicated their lives to the service of God and the poor. Their religious leader, Paul Schäfer, has what he always dreamed of: his own kingdom, sealed off from the outside world.
March 10, 2020, midnight
S1E3 - Looking into the Abyss
There is great relief among German sect members about the military coup in September 1973. Paul Schäfer is serving the new rulers: From now on, secret police chief Manuel Contreras and dictator Augusto Pinochet come and go from the colony.
March 10, 2020, midnight
S1E4 - Into the Light
Sect leader Paul Schäfer expands his empire and creates a human shield to defend the colony against hostilities. Now he opens up the otherwise very isolated Colonia Dignidad to the Chilean population and also assaults Chilean boys. Unlike the German victims, the Chilean boys confide in their parents. They are shocked and take action. More than 30 years after Schäfer's entry into Chile, the Chilean police start investigations - Schäfer's abuse comes to light.
March 10, 2020, midnight
Network: ARTE
Episode Runtime: 52 min.
Season Runtime: 208 min.
Released: March 10, 2020
Last Air Date: March 10, 2020, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: NR
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