In 2015, the premiere of the film "Colony" directed by Florian Gallenberger. Reviews for the film "Colony Dignidad" (as the picture was called at the Russian box office) were mostly positive, which affected the box office.
Many critics praised both the acting and the directing work. Since the film is based on real events, it caused a lot of discussion in society. For the leading actors, the picture became one of the best in his career.
"Colony of Dignidad": plot
In the center of the plot is a couple of Germans in love. Journalist Daniel leaves for Chile, where popular protests are gaining momentum. The spirit of revolution spans the streets and minds of progressive youth. They vehemently support presidential candidate Alendo and criticize neo-fascists, Pinochet's adherents. Daniel takes pictures of what is happening and takes an active part in the Alendovskaya company. His beloved Lena works as a stewardess. Suddenly she comes to him and for some time lives in his apartment. The seething of lofty ideas and love emotions excites the couple.
But the romantic atmosphere of love and protest suddenly ends when a military junta led by General Pinochet seizes power. Arrests of dissidents begin throughout the country. Daniel is trying to capture a film about the violation of human rights by the military, for which he is seized and sent to a football stadium. There, one of the traitors of the left revolutionaries identifies the German, and he is sent to a secret prison - the Dignidad colony. In reality, such a colony existed under the name "Villa Bavaria."
In captivity, Daniel expects endless torture and interrogation. To avoid death, he pretends to be insane due to physical abuse and has become mentally retarded. Doctors decide to let him go to work in the colony. The colony itself is a totalitarian religious sect, led by Paul Schaefer. The commandant fully controls life in the community and is an ideal for all its inhabitants.
The rescue
Upon learning of the abduction of Daniel, Lena goes in search of him. And he decides to voluntarily enter the sect for the salvation of his beloved. Many reviews of the film “Colony Dignidad” noted the plot's non-standard character. Most often in a movie a man saves his beloved from captivity, here everything happens the other way around. Once in the colony, Lena encounters a suspicious Shefer and a strict warden. Nevertheless, she manages to talk with Daniel and agree on an escape plan. One night, the couple escapes, taking with them the daughter of the warden.
Having overcome the narrow corridors of the bunker and swimming under water, they finally get out to freedom. But then they stumble upon a minefield, as a result of which their companion dies. With great difficulty, the fugitives reach the embassy of Germany. Diplomats promise to deliver Daniel and Lena to their homeland, but the couple feels something is amiss. At the last moment, they decide to trust their intuition and arbitrarily run to the plane. Despite the protest of the Chilean military (who had been warned in advance from the German embassy), Lena manages to negotiate with a familiar pilot, and they take off. The film is dedicated to all the victims of "Villa Bavaria."
Plot response
Reviews of the film "Colony Dignidad" noted the good plot moves and the intensity of drama. The viewer especially liked the contrast between the romantic beginning of the film and the subsequent intense narration. Heroes are well registered, and all the secondary characters are quite colorful and memorable. The film describes quite real events.
What is unusual for Western cinema, the Pinochet mode is shown exactly the same as it was in reality. This is very unexpected, given that Western politicians supported his rise to power. In particular, the film shows the role of diplomats of the Federal Republic of Germany, who did not hesitate to neglect the lives of their own citizens for the sake of profit.
The main character shows a desperate self-sacrifice for the sake of her half, this is the main leitmotif of the film "Colony Dignidad." 2015 was rich in romantic thrillers, but it was the Colony that was highlighted by critics. Love, high feelings of morality and compassion for others here are opposed to the borderless cruelty and thirst for power.
"Dignidad Colony" (film): actors
The cast was truly stellar. The role of the photographer-journalist was played by Daniel Bruhl. This is a German actor originally from Catalonia. The role of the brave stewardess Lena went to Emma Watson.
And Paul Schaefer was played by the Swede Michael Nyquist. Reviews of the film "Colony Dignidad" noted the excellent selection of supporting actors. The cruel and uncompromising warden Gisela performed by Richenda Carey became the highlight of the picture. The play of Martin Wuttke and August Zirner was also seen.
Emma Watson
In one of the interviews, actress Emma Watson said that she was encouraged to take part in the film by the presence of a non-standard plot. As you know, the British actress takes an active social position and is actively fighting for women's rights. The star of a series of films about Harry Potter appears before the viewer in a completely new guise. Thus, she finally debunkes the myth of the alleged "one-actress". She organically looks in the frame and vividly demonstrates emotions that are appropriate for a particular scene.
Despite the fact that in that year she starred not only in the film "Colony Dignidad." The year 2015 was marked by the release of another picture with Watson - the thriller in the horror style "Eclipse".
Daniel Bruhl
The second main role was played by the favorite of the German audience, Daniel Bruhl. In addition to an excellent acting, he demonstrated the ability to change. According to reviews, the viewer watched the main character change under the pressure of the events that hit him. If at first it was a romantic dreamer, then in the end we see a strong-willed fighter, whom fate has made a dramatic choice: run or fight.
In addition, Bruhl played a good mental retardation, which brought a certain flavor to the film.
Michael Nyquist
The role of the main antagonist went to the Swedish actor Michael Nyquist. He did an excellent job with the role of the arrogant narcissistic sadist Paul Schaefer. It was mentioned in the press that Michael read Paul’s memoirs before filming the picture “Dignidad Colony”. The film, whose actors are considered Hollywood celebrities, turned out great in many respects thanks to the dedication of all its participants. Viewers especially liked the special charm of Paul, with which he convinced people to live according to his laws. The participation of the star of the saga "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" in the film attracted the attention of many Swedish viewers.
Visual component
Many reviews concerned the visual component of the film. Critics noted the fit of the overall picture to the specified year. Bright shirts with raised collars, long hair, round sunglasses - all this was an invariable attribute of young people in the early 1980s. Director Florian Gallenberger perfectly conveyed the atmosphere of great change that prevailed in Chile on the eve of Pinochet's rise to power. The scenery of Villa Bavaria itself was also quite realistic.
Thanks to all of the above, the romantic-historical thriller "Colony Dignidad" received high box office and positive reviews from the audience.