Reviews of the movie "Colony of Dignidad." The romantic-historical thriller directed by Florian Gallenberger

In 2015, the premiere of the film "Colony" directed by Florian Gallenberger. Reviews of the movie "Colony Dignidad" (as the picture was called in the Russian box office) were mostly positive, which affected the box office. Many critics highly appreciated both acting and directing work. Since the film is based on real events, it caused a lot of discussion in the society. For the performers of the main roles, the picture became one of the best in his career.

"Colony of Dignidad": a plot

In the center of the plot is a pair of enamored Germans. Journalist Daniel goes to Chile, where people's protests are gaining momentum. The spirit of the revolution embraces the streets and minds of progressive youth. They strongly support the presidential candidate Allendo and criticize the neo-fascists, the adherents of Pinochet. Daniel takes pictures of what is happening and he himself takes an active part in the Allendov company. His beloved Lena works as a stewardess. Suddenly she comes to him and some time he lives in his apartment. Boiling of high ideas and love emotions excites the couple.

But the romantic atmosphere of love and protest suddenly ends when the military junta, led by General Pinochet, seizes power. Arrests of dissidents are beginning across the country. Daniel tries to capture on the film the violation of human rights by the military, for which he grabbed and sent to the football stadium. There one of the traitors of the left revolutionaries identifies the German, and he is sent to a secret prison - the colony of "Dignidad". In reality, such a colony existed under the name "Villa Bavaria".

In the captivity of Daniel waiting for endless torture and interrogation. To avoid death, he pretends to have gone mad because of 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 the life in the community and is an ideal for all its inhabitants.

The rescue

Learning about the abduction of Daniel, Lena goes to his search. And decides to join the sect voluntarily for the sake of the beloved's salvation. Many reviews of the film "The Colony of Dignidad" noted the unconventionality of the plot. Most often in the movie, a man saves a loved one from bondage, here everything happens the other way around. Once in the colony, Lena faces a suspicious Schaefer and a strict overseer. Nevertheless, she manages to talk with Daniel and agree on an escape plan. On one of the nights the couple escapes, taking with them the daughter of the warder.

Having overcome the narrow corridors of the bunker and swim under the water, they finally get out. But then they come across a minefield, as a result of which their companion perishes. With great difficulty the fugitives get to the embassy of Germany. Diplomats promise to deliver Daniel and Lena to their homeland, but the couple feels something is wrong. At the last moment they decide to trust their intuition and run to the plane by their own will. Despite the protest by the Chilean military (who had been warned in advance from the German embassy), Lena managed to negotiate with the familiar pilot, and they take off. The film is dedicated to all victims of "Villa Bavaria".

Reaction to the plot

Reviews of the movie "The Colony of Dignidad" noted the good plot moves and the intensity of drama. Especially the spectator liked the contrast between the romantic beginning of the film and the subsequent tense narrative. Heroes are well spelled out, and all secondary characters are quite colorful and memorable. The film describes quite real events. What is unusual for Western cinema, the Pinochet regime is shown exactly the same as it was in reality. This is quite unexpected, given that his coming to power was supported by Western politicians. In particular, the film shows the role of diplomats of the Federal Republic of Germany, who did not disdain to neglect the lives of their citizens for the sake of gain.

The main character demonstrates a desperate self-sacrifice for her own sake, this is the main theme of the film "The Colony of Dignidad." The year 2015 was rich in romantic thrillers, but it was the Colonies that were singled out by critics. Love, high feelings of morality and compassion for others here are contrasted with the unknowing boundaries of cruelty and the thirst for power.

"Colony of Dignidad" (film): actors

The cast was really stellar. The role of the photographer-journalist was performed by Daniel Brühl. This German actor comes from Catalonia. The role of the brave stewardess Lena went to Emma Watson. And Paul Schaefer was played by Swede Mikael Nyquist. Reviews of the movie "Colony of Dignidad" noted excellent selection of actors in the second plan. The cruel and uncompromising supervisor Gisela in the performance of Richenda Carey became the highlight of the picture. Also, the game of Martin Wuttke and Augustus Zirner was seen.

Emma Watson

In one of the interviews, actress Emma Watson said that to take part in the film she was inspired by the presence of a non-standard story. As is known, the British actress takes an active social position and actively fights for the rights of women. The star of the series of Harry Potter films appears before the viewer in a completely new guise. Thus, she finally dethrones the myth of the alleged "actress of one role." It organically looks in the frame and brightly demonstrates the emotions that are relevant for a particular scene. While that year she was filmed not only in the movie "The Colony of Dignidad." The year 2015 was marked by the release of another picture from Watson - a thriller in the style of the horror "Eclipse."

Daniel Brühl

The second main role was performed by the favorite of the German audience Daniel Brühl. In addition to a great acting game, he demonstrated the opportunity to change. According to the reviews, the viewer watched as the main character changes under the pressure of 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 put before a dramatic choice: run or fight. In addition, Brühl played well the mentally retarded, which brought a certain color to the film.

Mikael Nyqvist

The role of the main antagonist went to the Swedish actor Mikael Nyukvistu. He perfectly coped with the role of arrogant narcissistic sadist Paul Schaefer. It was mentioned in the press that Mikael had read Paul's memoirs before shooting the painting "Colony of Dignidad". The film, whose actors are considered Hollywood celebrities, turned out to be beautiful in many ways thanks to the dedication of all its participants. The audience especially liked the special charm of Paul, with which he urged people to live according to his laws. Participation star of the saga "Girl with a dragon tattoo" in the film attracted the attention of many Swedish viewers.

Visual component

Many reviews relate specifically to the visual component of the film. Critics noted the correspondence of the overall picture to the said year. Bright shirts with raised collars, long hair, round sunglasses - all this was an invariable attribute of the youth of the early 1980s. Director Florian Gallenberger perfectly conveyed the atmosphere of great changes that prevailed in Chile on the eve of Pinochet's coming to power. Also pretty realistic were the scenery of the "Villa Bavaria" itself.

Thanks to all of the above, the romantic-historical thriller "The Colony of Dignidad" received high box-office receipts and positive feedback from the audience.