Daens (1992)

In the 1890s, Father Adolf Daens goes to Aalst, a textile town where child labor is rife, pay and working conditions are horrible, the poor have no vote, and the Catholic church backs the ... See full summary »

Director:

Stijn Coninx

Writers:

Fernand Auwera (scenario), Louis Paul Boon (novel)

Stars:

Jan Decleir, Gérard Desarthe, Antje de Boeck

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 8 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jan Decleir	...	Adolf Daens
Gérard Desarthe	...	Charles Woeste
Antje de Boeck	...	Nette Scholliers
Michael Pas	...	Jan De Meeter
Karel Baetens	...	Jefke
Julien Schoenaerts	...	Bishop Stillemans
Wim Meuwissen	...	Pieter Daens
Brit Alen	...	Louise Daens
Johan Leysen	...	Schmitt
Idwig Stephane	...	Eugene Borremans
Linda van Dyck	...	Elizabeth Borremans (as Linda van Dijck)
Jappe Claes	...	Ponnet
Brenda Bertin	...	Marie
Alex Wilequet	...	Monsignor Goossens
Rik Hancké	...	Nuncio

Storyline

In the 1890s, Father Adolf Daens goes to Aalst, a textile town where child labor is rife, pay and working conditions are horrible, the poor have no vote, and the Catholic church backs the petite bourgeoisie in oppressing workers. He writes a few columns for the Catholic paper, and soon workers are listening and the powerful are in an uproar. He's expelled from the Catholic party, so he starts the Christian Democrats and is elected to Parliament. After Rome disciplines him, he must choose between two callings, as priest and as champion of workers. In subplots, a courageous young woman falls in love with a socialist and survives a shop foreman's rape; children die; prelates play billiards.

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Plot Keywords:

christian democrat | labor union | class differences | liberation theology | belgian history | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Did You Know?

Trivia

All of the major characters in the movie (like the Daens brothers, Mr Woeste, Bishop Stillemans, King Leopold and major Vanwambeke) have existed in real life, and feature in the book 'Pieter Daens' as well. Notable exceptions are Nette Scholiers (Antje de Boeck) and Jan De Meeter (Michael Pas), who were invented for the movie.

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Alternate Versions

There is a version spanning a total of 196 minutes. Mostly shown as a four part mini-series.

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Connections

Featured in Zomergasten: Episode #8.1 (1995)

User Reviews

Historical and fascinating story about Belgian politics in the 19th century.

The priest Daens (Jan Decleir) and his political master Charles Woeste (Gérard Desarthe) are opposing each other in this historical movie. Daens is a strong priest, convinced of his rightfulness to protect the workers. In the movie everything is worked out in detail and you can easily identify with the characters. The music is not so good and a little bit soft but the dramatic script keeps our attention until the end.

Details

Country:

Belgium France Netherlands

Language:

Flemish Dutch French Latin Spanish

Release Date:

25 February 1993 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

A Oposição

Filming Locations:

Piotrkow, Poland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dérives Productions, Favourite Films, Shooting Star Filmcompany BV

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1