Colonia

Parfois stupides, utilisant des clichés bon marché des films hollywoodiens. Mais en même temps, avec une ligne romantique solide et en contraste avec celle-ci, de façon fascinante, bizarre (microcosme de la colonie, ses personnages et ses lois internes). Effrayant le spectateur par la cruauté du pouvoir et l'impuissance des victimes, et surtout très captivant tout le temps. Le méchant interprété par Nyqvist est détestable. (21/03/2016)

Qui voudrait volontairement assister à la torture que subit la douce et fragile Emma Watson ? C'est du pur sadomasochisme… Récemment, j'ai vu deux films sur l'histoire du Chili, séparés de plusieurs décennies, et j'en ai retiré l'impression que ça devait être l'État le plus brutal et le plus cinglé d'Amérique du Sud. N'oublions pas non plus La Maison aux esprits, film se rapportant à la même période que Colonia. Le régime et le coup d'État de Pinochet ont causé beaucoup de violence et de douleur et, en combinaison avec des nazis en fuite, il en est ressorti un véritable enfer. Colonia n'est pas plaisant à voir, mais il est bon que de tels films soient faits. Espérons que de telles horreurs ne se reproduisent plus, même si la tournure actuelle des affaires mondiales ne le suggère pas beaucoup. Question acteurs, je me dois de mentionner Daniel le polyglotte ainsi que le phénoménal Michael Nyqvist – lui, je l'ai vu pour la première fois dans Millénium, dans un rôle positif. Après ça, il n'a plus joué que des salauds, des méchants et des idiots. Dommage qu'un tel acteur ne soit plus parmi nous. (21/11/2023)

It isn’t always necessary, but in the case of this movie, I strongly recommend reading the entire summary and taking in every word of it first, so that you know what you are getting into. It will help a lot with the movie itself, which just puts the viewer into the middle of the action, and they don’t have time to find their feet. It puts you into the middle of the action so uncompromisingly that the only thing you can focus on is Daniel Brühl and Emma Watson. Well, and they showed how important members of European cinema they are, because I was completely blown away by their characters. But the whole movie isn’t only about their characters, it is mainly about the whole story, which you probably wouldn’t believe actually happened in the 1970s in Chile. But, as they say, anything is possible on our planet and so I watched with horror the lawlessness our world had to witness. What is funny is the fact that even though the world knew about it, nobody really fought against it. Again, the rule saying anything that happens in a particular state stays in the particular state applies. After a long time a very high-quality European movie that stretches out of the borders of Europe with its story and also actors. Even Michael Nyqvist had fun with his character… You still don’t find it strange that the Germans are behind a story like this, again? (25/05/2016)

If I were to approach Colonia as a so-called serious film that tries to analyze the political situation in Chile after Pinochet's coup and also examines the functioning of closed religious communities, I would have to unconditionally give it a negative rating, and quite radically. Fortunately, being well-informed, I have always perceived Colonia as an adventurous thriller with a strong romantic subplot that perceives the political situation after the military coup only as a backdrop for its storytelling. Within the genre, it is certainly above average. The film is well cast, especially Michael Nyqvist as the sect leader, who acts appropriately corrupted and demonic. He truly relishes the role. Of course, weaknesses and flaws can be found in the screenplay, especially in the last ten minutes when Colonia imitates the finale of Argo, which comes across rather comically. While in Argo, you felt like the Ayatollahs were breathing down your neck, while here the ending seems somewhat naive. However, the main thing is that, practically throughout the film, it maintains its pace and tension in line with what it wants to be. It simply entertains. I thus have no reason to give it less than 4 stars and a 75% overall impression. (18/05/2016)

In collective scenes sufficiently predatory and absorbing, in moments of terror it forces you to avert your gaze. As a whole, in its message of freedom of spirit, mind, and humanity, it does not fail; in the possibility that something like this is real even in modern history, it is fatally depressing. When looking at the flawless Emma Watson and the captivating Daniel Brühl, I am willing to forgive a few minor stumbles because the content outweighs the importance of the screenplay form this time. (12/04/2016)