Colonia Dignidad
Colonia Dignidad - Aus dem Innern einer deutschen Sekte
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About
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 Using unpublished archive material and contemporary witness statements, this 4-part documentary miniseries traces the complex, 50-year history of perpetrators, victims,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.
Cast
Jonas Baeck
as Himself - Narrator
Edeltraud Bohnau
as Herself - Interviewee
Willi Malessa
as Himself - Interviewee
Wolfgang Kneese
as Himself - Interviewee
Erika Tymm
as Herself - Interviewee
Günter Schaffrik
as Himself - Interviewee
Karl Van Den Berg
as Himself - Interviewee
Robert Matthusen
as Himself - Interviewee
Esther Müller
as Herself - Interviewee
Martin Matthusen
as Himself - Interviewee
Anne Schnellenkamp
as Herself - Interviewee
Brigitte Baak
as Herself - Interviewee
Kurt Schnellenkamp
as Himself - Interviewee
Jürgen Szurgelies
as Himself - Interviewee
Georg Laube
as Himself - Interviewee
Luis Peebles
as Himself - Interviewee
Salo Luna
as Himself - Interviewee
Roberto Thieme
as Himself - Interviewee
Alfred Gerlach
as Himself - Interviewee
Luis Henríquez
as Himself - Interviewee
Seasons
Episodes
Season 1
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.
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.
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.
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.
Where does Colonia Dignidad rank today?
Colonia Dignidad is #10000 on the Bowood.TV Daily Streaming Charts today.
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Watch Colonia Dignidad Online Free — All Episodes in HD
Stream Colonia Dignidad online free in HD on Bowood.TV. A well-rated documentary series originally produced in German and released in 2020, it's earned a solid 7.0/10 from 2 viewers worldwide.
About Colonia Dignidad
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. Across 1 season and 4 episodes, originally airing on ARTE.
Colonia Dignidad Cast and Characters
The cast features Jonas Baeck (as Himself - Narrator), Edeltraud Bohnau (as Herself - Interviewee), Willi Malessa (as Himself - Interviewee), Wolfgang Kneese (as Himself - Interviewee), and Erika Tymm (as Herself - Interviewee). Their performances are a major reason Colonia Dignidad has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch Colonia Dignidad Online
On Bowood.TV you can watch Colonia Dignidad free — no account, no credit card, no ads in the middle of the show. We stream the full series in 720p / 1080p HD, with subtitles when available, on any device: phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV browser.
▶ Watch Colonia Dignidad NowWhy People Are Watching Colonia Dignidad
Colonia Dignidad flies under the radar but it deserves your attention. What makes it work is a tone and style that's hard to find elsewhere. If you enjoy German storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about Colonia Dignidad
Where can I watch Colonia Dignidad online for free?
You can watch Colonia Dignidad online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How many episodes does Colonia Dignidad have?
Colonia Dignidad has 4 episodes across 1 season. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.
Is Colonia Dignidad good? What's the rating?
Colonia Dignidad holds a 7.0/10 rating based on 2 reviews — well above average.
Who is in the cast of Colonia Dignidad?
The main cast includes Jonas Baeck, Edeltraud Bohnau, Willi Malessa, and Wolfgang Kneese, plus a strong supporting ensemble.
Is Colonia Dignidad available in German?
Yes — Colonia Dignidad was originally produced in German and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV. English subtitles are provided when available.
When was Colonia Dignidad released?
Colonia Dignidad first aired in 2020.
Do I need an account to watch Colonia Dignidad on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch Colonia Dignidad without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
Similar Series You Might Like
If you enjoyed Colonia Dignidad, check out The Survivors: Colonia Dignidad, A Sinister Sect: Colonia Dignidad, Dignity, Señales del Crimen, and The Secret Life of Trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Colonia Dignidad for free?
You can watch Colonia Dignidad online for free on Bowood.TV. All 4 episodes across 1 season are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.
How many seasons and episodes does Colonia Dignidad have?
Colonia Dignidad currently has 1 season and a total of 4 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on Bowood.TV and continue watching from where you left off.
What is Colonia Dignidad about?
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 suppos… It belongs to the Documentary genre.
In which language is Colonia Dignidad originally available?
Colonia Dignidad was originally produced in DE. On Bowood.TV the show is available in its original DE audio. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.
When was Colonia Dignidad first released?
Colonia Dignidad first premiered on March 10, 2020 (2020). The series has since concluded its run.
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