Self-proclaimed preacher, Paul Schäfer from Bonn, emigrates with his community to Chile in 1961. About 350 kilometres south of Santiago, far away from all civilization, they found Colonia Dignidad, the "colony of dignity". In the middle of untouched wilderness, they build an ideal German village with workshops, agriculture, cattle breeding and a hospital for the suffering Chilean population. A model of solidarity and sincerity, it seems. Paul Schäfer, however, is pursuing his own agenda.