Wilfried Huismann
Colonia Dignidad

How many incarnations can the devil have? Can a man be at once a pedophile, manipulator, misogynist, torturer, conspirator, dictator, contractor, receiver, and the worst kind of pervert? For information, ask Paul Schafer, the charismatic leader of the Chilean colony known as Colonia Dignidad.

Let's have some fun. First, watch the movie Colonia (2015) by Florian Gallenberger which will give you an idea of the preamble, the historical facts, the settings. Lavish cast. Then, with anticipation, you'll watch the docuseries in question.

It's simple to explain. Schafer had a good idea after the war. He began to preach, like a new messiah, frequenting the valleys to create a following. Charismatic, persuasive, he built a significant following, a community. But in Germany, they are not fools: the first distortions echoed immediately, and they dismantled it.

So on the cusp of the '60s, with a massive dose of followers, he emigrated to Chile. In the south, in a barren land, he gathered resources and forces to establish a community complete with schools and a hospital. His strength? Simple: the bloody regime that was just then overthrowing Allende. The Pinochet regime. Which obviously wasn't philanthropic, and in return, wanted much. Collaboration. Lives. Resources.

Paul Schafer's community (or Pius, as he liked to be called by his followers) prospered for decades. Women, men, children, separated as not even in the strictest boarding schools. Violence, torture, both physical and psychological. Carried out with painstaking patience, from the earliest age. Until worship and devotion were obtained.

Until he was intoxicated and died, nearly ninety, in prison, when there was nothing left to repay. Yes, we can say it: Paul Schafer got away with it. No one ever stopped him. They tried, but they were feeble attempts, motions, half steps. No one ever dared. Neither the police. Nor the embassies. Nor the diplomats. Not even the politicians.

Why? Who was this man who captured minds, lives, lands, legions and no one had the courage to challenge?

I invite you to investigate, it's worth it. Really.