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

Referenced in Musical daens (2008)

User Reviews

Reality check

Some of us like to complain about how hard life is. Watch this film, which I think is very close to the reality of life in the late 19th century, and it will put your problems into perspective. Yes, most of the wealth is still in the hands of the happy few. We still need to fight injustice. But in comparison to what you see here, we are currently living in gods paradise. This film also reveals the politics at that time in Belgium (and the western world? ), serving the upper class helped by the church. The harsh reality is enlightened by a few very good jokes (take the ring home. Then you can kiss it as many times as you want). Everything is beautifully embodied by Belgiums finest. Very well directed. After almost 30 years it looks a tad outdated but this doesn't really spoil the party... It's not a science fiction.

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