The untold stories, the hidden side of the so-called modern societies. Intriguingly terrifying! However, why is it always about the Nazi? I'd really see a movie about other politic parties like the zionists for example.

Having researched colonia dignidad for some years I was looking forward to seeing how brave the filmmakers would be at addressing some of the underlying 'rumours' surrounding this place and its real structure, sadly they have not don't the story justice.... the movie is however a good thriller and part way to showing what a inhumane creature paul shafer was. I would have liked to have seen the makers explore the bigger questions such as: 1/ are we really expected to believe that an ex Nazi paedophile was backed by not just the Chilean government but also the German embassy, would these people really put their heads on the line just to protect one rather unimportant man from doing something despicable? they would however do it to protect something far larger and far more powerful........ 2/ who was really behind the weapons manufacture at the colony, as I assume it takes more than a low level Nazi paedophile to create a weapons manufacturing plant, let alone chemical weapons 3/ to build such a complex as colonia dignidad along with its enormous military grade subsystem would take some serious financial backing and purpose other than a paedophiles playground 4/ we saw a shot of the advanced (for its time) radio room but no questions as to why it was there, also no mention of the enormous radio antenna on the estate... does a insular cult camp need mass communication? 5/ no mention of post war Nazi escapee's who according to witnesses visited and had a role there 6/ many more things that could have been addressed but maybe that's something you can research yourself

This is yet another propaganda piece from a mainstream movie that has an interesting enough premise to get a pass. I can be aware of the BS and still find redeeming qualities or enjoy a movie, the two are not mutually exclusive.The dialogue is rather contrived and pretentious, the 'politics' are very on the nose and predictable in that they are over the top, cliché and essentially just propaganda scratching at the surface of issues (first 25 minutes are dreadful), with exaggerated accents, cringey dialogue and ridiculous background acting. At about the half-hour mark, the film is saved due to the delightful emergence of Michael Nyqvist who gives a great performance as usual.The directing is sloppy at best, the editing is sloppy and every situation feels forced, contrived and/or unnecessary. I'll give one example in regards to a sloppy scenario to clarify my point, but know that these details are riddled and ignored through-out the entirety of the film...Lena decides to be clever and sneak her way out and peep in on one of the late night sessions. She has taken initiative and carefully worked her way into this situation. Yet, when peeking into the window, instead of continuing to be clever and remaining hidden (consistency), she starts practically leaning into the clearly lit up and visible window, and of course is spotted. It is now AFTER the fact she has been spotted, that she now tries to be clever again and run and hide. That whole scenario could have been avoided by simply being a little cautious. It's blatant inconsistent behavior to move the plot along and is an insult to the viewer. It really is. These very common details are in my opinion what can make or break a decent idea/film.All in all it is an unoriginal premise that IS interesting enough to keep you watching once you've started, has SOME redeeming qualities in that it gives some exposure into the cult-like religious world consisting of pedophilia and dominance and psychological torture etc. It is also shot well enough regardless of the poor editing and pacing. And Michael Nyqvist always manages to steal the show imo... But it is a typical propaganda piece in that there are a lot of fabrications in the movie (which is fiction), yet begins and ends on a "serious" political note with a clear angle leaving the viewer with a slanted impression of said nation. Hollywood loves to blur the lines because they underestimate the viewer...One final note, just some food for thought. Isn't it odd or a 'coincidence' that no subject is taboo in film making, and no nationality or religion or topic is off limits when it comes to film making in Hollywood except for 'that one'. You and I know the one. The one tribe/cult that has limitless amounts of films depicting them as 'victims', yet not ONE SINGLE FILM exposing their corruption politically, religiously, socially etc. (Don't believe me? Google it. Find me ONE major film that exposes their tribe in any shape or form. You won't find one.) Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and every other religion, nation or culture or subject is fair game to be criticized, but don't you dare make a film exposing said tribe on ANY matter otherwise you immediately fall into a 'negative'. An "anti...." so to speak. Funny thing that is huh? But I digress ... this film is a pass. Wasted potential if anything.

Colonia (also known as The Colony is some territories) is a film that on paper has it all, a director with runs on the board behind camera, recognisable faces in front of the camera and a true story as its basis that would suggest a high stakes thriller that has the broad appeal of popcorn eaters and renowned critics alike so that Colonia failed so dismally upon its scattered release over the last 12 months (making roughly $61 pounds in its UK cinema release) is disappointing to say the least.When speaking of disappointment its sadly a word that's apt for the film itself even though its far more engaging that its near non-existent support upon release suggests.While never making the most of its full-fledged story of the Colonia Dignidad that existed in the country of Chile for over 40 years thanks to the grizzly work of cult like leader Paul Schäfer (here played by a long haired Michael Nyqvist, doing a fairly creepy take on the character) who operated the facility as a diabolical prison like environment made for no escaping and a life of potato peeling, corn harvesting and public beatings, John Rabe director Florian Gallenberger still instils the film with enough atmosphere and soul that it will at times thoroughly engage.Colonia does however continue on the rather disappointing career trend of Oscar winner Gallenberger who has failed to ever get close to the cinematic work he produced with his foreign language films like Shadows of Time and while Colonia isn't terrible, the director certainly faces an uphill battle to ever get back to the standard he set in the early 2000's.The same could be said of Colonia's stars Emma Watson (who needs next year's Beauty and the Beast to be a big hit) and Daniel Brühl who seem to have found themselves in a career funk of late after early successes at their beginnings and while mostly fine by themselves in this tale, whenever the two get together an uneasy chemistry forms and much of the danger and dramatics of this rather scary story get lost in amongst their badly formed double up.Failing to distinguish itself from a TV movie like vibe, Colonia may not have deserved its quick death and critical drubbing upon release but the story of this eerily scary and freighting true story could've been so much more, even if its moments of quality make it a watchable and often thoroughly enjoyable thriller.3 potatoes out of 5