When Augusto Pinochet seized power in Chile via a military coup in 1973, the dark era that followed had repercussions for decades. Thousands and thousands were killed or “disappeared,” families were torn apart, and dissidents were brutally silenced. The scars and wounds from that time are still healing, and the discussion of what happened during those years is still a difficult one in the country. Unfortunately, none of the potentially incendiary drama that one might expect from a film set during that time can be found in “Colonia.” Instead, the rather routine thriller that glances against the politics and fear during Pinochet’s time in power, and the decision to tell the story through a pair of foreigners, also does much to mute some of the impact of the tale.
Daniel Bruhl plays the handsome German activist Daniel. He’s only been in Chile for a few months, but in that time, he has become a key figure in the movement that’s behind Allende. He has no shortage of allies, but his heart...
