A Sinister Sect: Colonia Dignidad

Season: 1

A colony of German Christians with a charismatic and manipulative leader establishes itself in Chile and becomes instrumental to the dictatorship.

Documentary

1Fri, Oct 01, 2021

The Mission

Post-World War II, German preacher Paul Schäfer establishes a youth home but is soon accused of abuse. He flees to Chile, where he starts a new colony.

2Fri, Oct 01, 2021

The Promised Land

In Chile, word gets out about Schäfer, so he establishes a free hospital to win favor with the locals. But then Wolfgang Kneese runs away, telling all.

3Fri, Oct 01, 2021

The Specter of Communism

When Allende comes to power, a scared Schäfer smuggles and manufactures arms. Meanwhile, he grows more cruel in how he treats the colony's young people.

4Fri, Oct 01, 2021

A Pact with the Devil

Schäfer provides torture chambers for Pinochet's use in exchange for mining licenses and other perks. But he struggles to keep the youth "pure."

5Fri, Oct 01, 2021

The Untouchable

Schäfer enlists the colonists to support Pinochet's activities. And even after Pinochet loses the presidency, Schäfer manages to keep going.

6Fri, Oct 01, 2021

The Fall

A pair of boys flee and tell on Schäfer. But the colonists pay the price as they try to rebuild their fractured lives.