Colony Of Dignidad. Strong, Interesting And Scary Film - Reviews

Colony of Dignidad is a strong, interesting and scary film. Terrible in that it is based on real events: Nazi Paul Schaefer, who fled to Chile, organized a religious sect - a colony that became a secret prison under the regime of the dictator Pinochet. Torture and murder took place there, and Paul himself was a pedophile who committed violence against dozens of children. This colony existed for 40 years, thousands of people died or went missing (their death was not proven). Paul enjoyed unlimited power and had the support of the government, only at the end of his life went to prison. These events formed the basis of the film

In cinematic reality, the German journalist and photographer Daniel, who took pictures that compromise Pinochet's dictatorship, ends up in the very colony of Dignidad. Then his girlfriend Lena goes after him, under the guise of a religious fanatic, penetrating the sect. A plot move that is rare in cinematography: a woman goes to save a man, and not vice versa. It was he who attracted the already famous actress Emma Watson at that time, prompting her to agree to the role.

Will Daniel and Lena be able to escape from the place from where in 40 years there were only 5 successful escapes?..

There are internal and external elections

External choices are what is predetermined for us. We do the inner ones ourselves. The ratio of internal and external choices changes over time: everything is decided for a small child - how to warm up the bottle, what color the stroller is, when to vaccinate … Then they gradually give him the opportunity to choose for himself: make mistakes and face the consequences; understand which choices are correct and which are wrong.

Some parents overprotect their children for fear of accidents or for the shame of being bad parents; and then they do not give the child freedom of choice, the right to choose. And making a choice is, first of all, taking responsibility for a decision and its consequences. Children, for whom everything was chosen and decided, grow up into infantile adults, striving for dependent relationships and avoiding responsibility. "Advise", "Tell me", "I had no choice", "I had nothing else to do …"

External elections do not give freedom, but they remove responsibility: “I am not guilty! He came himself! " Internal choices, your own, provide freedom, but also responsibility. Whatever happens, you yourself will answer.

Internal elections are taught in childhood fairy tales - wisdom that is passed down from generation to generation: if you go this way, you will lose your horse, if you go that way, you will meet robbers … Make your choice! In Jungian psychology, this is the “knight at the crossroads” archetype - freedom of choice and acceptance of its consequences. If you walk past an apple tree asking for help - do not expect salvation from her in difficult times. If you tell someone else's secret, you will lose your voice. If you stand the test with honor, there will be a fabulous reward.

If in childhood we are just learning about internal choices, then in adulthood we should already be able to make them ourselves. They decide a lot for the child: parents, teachers … An adult builds his own life. As a plus, there is a lot of freedom in this. As a minus - there is responsibility and then there is no one to complain about, except for himself.

There are easy and difficult domestic choices. Easy choices - in light external situations: for example, having a cup of coffee or tea at breakfast. The risks are minimal if you don't have health problems. But difficult situations dictate difficult internal elections

At the beginning of the film "Colony of Dignidad" we see a political coup: the dictator Pinochet is in power, he suppresses any protest and destroys all dissent. This is a difficult situation: there are many disagreements, and how will they behave in this situation? An internal choice arises: to agree with what you disagree with, for the sake of your personal safety and well-being, or to defend important values at a risk to yourself?.. This choice comes before the heroes from the very beginning.

Daniel and Lena as foreigners (German citizens who are in the capital of Chile) are trying to flee. Daniel is holding a camera. Seeing the atrocities committed by the military, he takes pictures, realizing that he is at risk. He does it because he thinks it is right. But he is detained and sent to the colony.

Then Lena faces a choice: she can fly home and be safe. Or at the risk of helping Daniel herself: not only because she loves him, but also because she sees the injustice of what is happening.

Each of the heroes makes an internal choice, taking responsibility for the consequences. It's a tough choice in a tough situation. And difficult internal elections await everyone in the colony of Dignidad, in which everything is based on fear and violence. There are many storylines in the film, and each character must make their own decisions and their consequences: will Lena be betrayed by the girl from the sect who revealed her secret? How do adults who know about the pedophilia of the head of the sect behave? Will friends help Lena and Daniel by sacrificing their interests?..

What helps people to make the right choices in difficult situations, to follow their inner values? The film "Colony of Dignidad" does not answer this question, and no one can give it. Everyone must answer this question for himself: what am I doing myself? So, how is it easier and more convenient, or how is it right? And what helps me to make the right choices?..