Daens (1993)

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Movie Info

This Academy Award-nominated Belgian drama follows a late 19th-century priest's courageous battle to end the exploitation of child workers in Aalst, Belgium. Father Daens' crusade begins shortly after he is transferred to the impoverished Belgian region. Aghast at the working conditions he sees in area mills, Daens publishes an inflammatory letter in his brother's newspaper. Among his many accusations and condemnations are those that not only children such as the little girl Nini are being overworked in unhealthy conditions, they are also being sexually abused by supervisors. The workers launch a widespread public outcry that is immediately quelled by the upper-class mill owners who fire all rebels and hire more children and women (at even lower wages) in their place. Thus begins a long, tragic battle between Daens and the poor and Belgium's ruling class. Aided by the Church itself, the monarches and the rich prevail, leaving Daens disillusioned and just as impoverished as those for whom he has sacrificed everything.

Cast

Jan Decleir
as Adolf Daens
Antje de Boeck
as Nette Scholliers
Michaël Pas
as Jan De Meeter
Gérard Desarthe
as Charles Woeste
Johan Leysen
as Schmitt
Julia Ranaszkiewicz
as Nini
Idwig Stephane
as Eugene Borremans
Wim Meuwissen
as Pieter Daens
Jappe Claes
as Ponnet
Max Croiset
as Father Abbot
Julien Schoenaerts
as Bishop Stillemans
Karel Baetens
as Jefke
Leon Niemczyk
as Committee Member
Brit Alen
as Louise Daens
Vic Moeremans
as Abbot
Brenda Bertin
as Marie
Ludwik Benoit
as Man with Handcart
Alex Wilequet
as Monsignor Goossens
Rik Hancke
as Nuncio
Giovanni DiBenedetto
as Cardinal
Fred Van Kuijk
as Mayor Vanwambeke
Gérald Marti
as King Leopold II
Frank Vercruyssen
as Louis Scholliers
Koen van Impe
as Baron De Bethune
Marilou Mermans
as Mother Scholliers
Mark Peeters
as Vandermmersch
Filip van Luchene
as Lambrecht
Herbert Flack
as Vanlangenhove
Yves Degen
as Druwe
Marc Legein
as Cumont
Gaston Bertin
as Leirens
Max Schnur
as Old Man
Anna Grazyna Suchoka
as Julia
Matthias Schoenaerts
as Wannes Scholliers
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Critic Reviews for Daens

All Critics (2)

Daens restores our prejudices about Belgian cinema: it's long, worthy, and a bit dull.

Nov 28, 2017 | Full Review…
Independent on Sunday

Blegium's Oscar nominee is a worthy historical drama about the involvement of priests in the labor movement.

Jul 1, 2011 | Rating: B | Full Review…
EmanuelLevy.Com
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