Mennonites: Life in the Ultra-Conservative Christian Colonies of South America (Documentary)

Like the Amish, the ultra-conservative Christian community of the Mennonites reject modern society and live a life frozen in the 19th century. Nearly all Mennonites live in self-sufficient colonies, embracing isolation, which helps protect them from the temptations of the modern world. Now, for the first time, one of these communities has agreed to open their doors to our cameras.

At first sight, time seems to have stopped in the colony of Little Belize, in South America. People travel around on horse-drawn carriages and still speak Plattdeutsch, an old German dialect. But even here, signs of the outside world are creeping in. Wilhelm, the community’s former doctor, was recently expelled for owning a mobile phone. Fearing their community is being tainted, some traditional members, like Abram and his family, have decided to create a new colony, even more isolated, in the jungle of Peru, where they can remain true to their original doctrine.

We follow them on their exodus and take an unprecedented look at the world of the Mennonites.

This documentary was produced by Magneto and directed by Mélanie Van Der Ende. It was first released in 2018.

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[titaniumfire]

when the doctor said he couldn’t have a phone to call for more advanced medical care, that was the most crazy thing to me

[Mastemine]

It's incredible that Abram can speak 3 languages fluently. I feel like no one is mentioning that, for a closed off community he is able to speak really well.

[gardenofremains]

Franz seems like a really good father and a very friendly thoughtful guy.

[lancemillward]

Need a follow up on their new life in peru

[ralphgreenjr.]

My farm is in southwest Ohio in the Ohio River valley. I feel very blessed to have Amish and Mennonite neighbors. We shop at Amish bakeries, vegetable stands, live animal auctions, and buy all our meat from a Mennonite butcher. Pleasant, honest, hard working wonderful people. Safe secure community.

[aqueenceereid]

We definitely need a followup on this please. This was so interesting.

[amelier]

The insane thing is that the language they speak barely has anything to do with the German we know today. I'm a native speaker and I really have to concentrate to understand anything at all, let alone everything.
It's fascinating to see how a language can develop in such different ways. I don't speak lower German myself but heard it a lot as a child but this somehow sounds different still.

[depslack]

This is such an interesting watch! Please follow up with part two and three even. I would LOVE to see it all complete

[agadavictor]

I love Abrams's optimism and salute the courage of those who left all behind and the documentary team. You all rock ✨

[RonnieStanley-tcvi]

I live in the mountains of Virginia. We have a few communities here. My wife and I shop at a few of their stores. They sell fabric, soap, fresh food, and lots of baked goods. They are honest people that don't have their hand out. That alone is more than I can say for many Americans. They have their own private communities, but their work supports the outer communities too. They have my respect.

[amazingronaldo]

I am really curious how they got on at the new location. I would love to see a part 2 showing how that community is coming along and how their families back in the old community have adjusted without them there.

[timgraaff]

Oh, this was well done. Thank you for such a nice video. With people like this in the world there may be hope after all!

[nocturneowl]

I wish you’ll make a part-2 of this story.

Great video

[incogskd]

My grandmother was a Mennonite (Conservative) and she was allowed modern conveniences unlike the Amish. She was from Indiana. Some homes did use gas lighting instead of electricity. So you cannot say that the Mennonites reject all modern technology. Communal phones are allowed for emergency and cars and cabs are allowed to take people to the hospital. My Gramma was very old fashioned and dressed very conservatively including her bonnet. She was one of the most lovely people who ever lived on this planet. I never heard her say a bad thing about anyone, ever.

[BBK_]

I went to Belize several years ago on a cruise and I was shocked to see Mennonites riding around everywhere in a horse and buggy in the town we stopped at. Not what I was expecting at all but it was super cool to see!

[Dreamwithmuah]

I hope no one needs immediate medical assistance. Especially the children.

[toribern]

Wow. When he finally got to his land and grabbed the earth with his hands, I couldn’t keep the smile from my face. How awesome are these ppl !!!! ❤

[syraozaeta]

As a Belizean the Mennonite community are an integral part of Belize with their agriculture, dairy products and Chicken. It's not all of them that are this strict and they even marry outside their own kind. When I'm home in Belize we love taking day trips to "Spanish lookout" (their Largest community) to eat their delicious products 🇧🇿

[jchati]

Amazing! This is a fascinating documentary! Will there be another one so we can see how they have come along since they first arrived at their new home? Please make a part 2!! 🙏

[dianewilliams]

I'd love to have an up date on this family, I wish them well.