Colonia Dignidad (2020): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 2020, Colonia Dignidad is a documentary series.

What it’s 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 Using unpublished archive material and contemporary witness statements, this 4-part documentary miniseries traces the complex, 50-year history of perpetrators, victims,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.

Who’s in it. Colonia Dignidad stars Jonas Baeck as Himself - Narrator, Edeltraud Bohnau as Herself - Interviewee, Willi Malessa as Himself - Interviewee and Wolfgang Kneese as Himself - Interviewee, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 7.0/10, Colonia Dignidad has been warmly received by audiences.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Colonia Dignidad page.

If you liked it. Fans of Colonia Dignidad tend to enjoy Cosmos, Planet Earth, Planet Earth II and Vikings.