Colonia

In 1973, Lena, a spirited Lufthansa flight attendant, arrives in Santiago to reconnect with her boyfriend, Daniel, a West German journalist. Their reunion marks the beginning of a tranquil period in the politically charged environment of Chile.

Lena and Daniel find themselves caught in the chaos of a military coup as Allende's supporters are targeted by the military led by General Augusto Pinochet. This event signals the dismantling of Chile's democracy and escalates the dangers surrounding their lives.

Daniel is abducted by Pinochet's secret police, DINA, after a masked informant identifies him. This traumatic event propels Lena into a desperate search for him, knowing that Daniel faces severe torture.

After learning that Daniel has been taken to Colonia Dignidad, a secluded and deceptive organization posing as a charity, Lena decides to infiltrate it. Despite warnings from Amnesty International about the dangers, she feels compelled to rescue Daniel.

Upon entering Colonia Dignidad, Lena is subjected to strict and oppressive conditions run by Paul Schäfer. She becomes part of a cult-like environment that brutally enforces its rules and incorporates elements of Nazism and anti-Communism.

Lena witnesses the brutal punishment of a fellow resident, Doro, by Paul, which reveals the terrifying extent of control he wields over the colony. This incident deepens Lena's resolve to find Daniel and escape the oppressive grasp of the colony.

Meanwhile, Daniel endures severe torture and disfigurement at the hands of his captors. He overhears discussions that lead him to strategize his escape, even while his physical condition worsens.

In a desperate attempt to see Daniel, Lena deliberately breaks the colony's rules and is taken to a men's gathering. However, to her dismay, she discovers that Daniel is not there, having hidden to plan his escape.

Daniel's escape plan is thwarted when he inadvertently triggers an alarm. As he tries to flee the colony, he encounters additional dangers, while Lena remains determined to help him from within.

After 130 days at the camp, Lena and Daniel finally reunite, only to discover that Colonia Dignidad serves as an illegal operations center for DINA. They realize the extent of the horrors and political oppression surrounding them.

Daniel uncovers a network of tunnels beneath the colony and realizes that they provide a potential escape route. He captures evidence of the colony's atrocities, escalating the urgency of their plan to flee.

In a pivotal moment, Lena and Daniel attempt to escape through the tunnels but are caught, resulting in the tragic death of Ursel, a pregnant nurse who had been aiding them. This loss deepens the stakes of their escape.

Even after reaching the West German embassy, Lena and Daniel face betrayal from the staff who try to stall their escape. In a desperate move, Lena contacts her pilot friend to secure immediate transport away from the unfolding peril.

With chaos erupting around them, Lena and Daniel manage to escape with the help of the pilot, flying out of Chile just before the authorities can apprehend them. They leave with photographic evidence of the atrocities at Colonia Dignidad.

Despite their escape and the evidence they brought to light, only a few individuals ever escaped Colonia Dignidad. Paul Schäfer is later arrested for his crimes, but the photos Lena and Daniel captured do little to change the situation in Chile.