The dictatorial reign of Chilean General Augusto Pinochet has been explored in multiple ways in numerous films, mostly by director Pablo Larrain. But the truth depths of Pinochet's terror may best be explored in Colonia, a thriller starring Emma Watson, Daniel Bruhl, and Michael Nyqvist.
Directed by Florian Gallenberger, the film stars Watson as a woman who breaks into the real-life Colonia Dignidad, seemingly a secretive religious commune but in actuality was one of Pinochet's torture centers. All kinds of criminal activity took place there, from child abuse to torture. Here's a synopsis for the film:
Chile, 1973. Lufthansa flight attendant Lena (Watson) is in Santiago to visit her boyfriend, Daniel (Brühl), a talented graphic artist creating images in support of embattled President Salvador Allende. When Allende is violently ousted, General Augusto Pinochet's forces begin rounding up dissidents. Daniel is taken to the remote stronghold of Colonia Dignidad ("Dignity Colony"), home to a secret agricultural commune and crypto-fascist sect led by sinister minister Paul Schäfer (Michael Nyqvist). Daniel is interrogated and tortured, but feigns severe mental deterioration to stay alive. Valiant and wily, Lena travels to Colonia and offers herself up to Schäfer as a follower. She is determined to find and free Daniel — but first she must ensure that she herself can survive Schäfer's crushingly oppressive, viciously misogynistic practices.
Colonia hits theaters and VOD on April 15th.
