Daens

34 years after its release, DAENS is making a comeback in Belgian cinemas, in a restored version. Stijn Coninx’s 1992 film tells the empathic story of priest-politician Adolf Daens (Jan Decleir) and his fight against social injustice in Aalst at the end of the 19th century.

Priest Adolf Daens returns to his hometown, a city plagued by social inequality, child labour, low wages, and appalling working conditions in the textile industry. Driven by his sense of justice, Daens sides with the workers, even though this puts him at odds with the conservative church, the affluent bourgeoisie, and even his bishop. When he denounces these abuses from the pulpit, he incurs the wrath of factory owners and church authorities. Daens goes on to found the Christian People’s Party, is elected to parliament, and brings the rights of ordinary people on the political agenda, leading to far-reaching consequences for the city, the church, and his own vocation as a priest.

This powerful film was the first Flemish movie ever nominated for an Oscar. It offers a richly detailed historical fresco of the fight for justice and the sacrifices it demands.