I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Socialism and the social-democracy originate from Europe, where the industrial revolution began. It became the ideology of the workers, who were cruelly exploited and suppressed by the capitalists. The social problem created political controversies. It all started with the textile production, which was concentrated in England and Belgium. In the beginning the new capitalist system was pretty disgusting. Often the situation of the industrial workers worsened in comparison with the preceding feudalism. The film Daens narrates this not very nice episode of our history for the Belgian case. At the time Belgium was still under the influence of the catholic church. The Pope had proclaimed the encyclical letter Rerum Novarum, which stressed the rights of the workers. However, the capitalists were not impressed. And since eventually the church follows the money (for someone has to pay the bills), there was little real improvement for the workers. Daens is a priest, who sides with them. The capitalists don't like this, and exert pressure on the church. Spoiler! Daens is expelled from priesthood, and continues as a politician. Fortunately decency still exists. The film is based on a book by Louis Paul Boon (Opus magnum: De kapellekensbaan). Boon has a surrealistic and dejected style of writing, which focuses on the human shortcomings. This is noticeable in the film plot, so prepare yourself for some degenerate behavior, rapes, children freezing to death or being crushed by weaving-looms etcetera. However Boon never creates a sensation, and mentions these disasters more or less in passing (which makes it so surrealistic). In fact the heroic Daens is a bit atypical, and may be a deviation from Boons book (which I have not read). If you believe that the history of capitalism is a success story, than this film will surprise you. If you like persiflages, this film will please you. If you are interested in history, this film will educate you. What more can I say? By the way, you will find many similar films in my list of reviews. Take for instance "Subterra", or more timely "Norma Rae". There may well be many recent South-American films about the same theme. If so, tell me. Oh, and don't forget to check off the "useful: yes" ballot. I love comments.

This movie shows how life was in the late 19th century. I come from Aalst and Daens was and still is a highly respected priest who cared for the poor and who wasn't afraid of those rich mother******* and the corrupt, pathetic (it still is) church.Together with his brother he faced and defeated the rich. He helped the poor people and got them the right to vote. In his quest he the pope and all who were against him eventually took away his rights as a priest. Daens continued to help the poor, and became the voice of the people in the parliament. He was a good man who stood up for the poor. The movie itself gives a very good look how people worked their asses of for only a few CENTS.

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.

DAENS Aspect ratio: 1.85:1Sound format: Dolby Stereo SRStijn Coninx's exemplary period drama mixes gritty realism (the harshness of life amongst the poor in 19th century Flanders) with romantic heroism (the struggle of the title character - a priest - to free the oppressed workers from the tyrannical control of their middle-class rulers). Coninx takes a distinctly cinematic view of the proceedings and never allows the film's depressing subject matter to overwhelm the viewer, preferring instead to milk the dramatic potential from a fascinating script, which is based on fact. Every scene is a miniature gem, sometimes small and intimate, sometimes grand and sweeping, and Coninx invites the viewer to share in Daens' sense of outrage and injustice. He's helped in no small measure by a superlative cast, headed by Jan Decleir as the passionate, free-thinking Daens, Antje de Boeck as a gutsy factory worker who rails against the horrendous working conditions around her, and Gerard Desarthe as the villain of the piece, determined to maintain the status quo and discredit Daens in the process. Michael Pas also makes an impression as a dedicated Communist who rallies to the priest's cause and falls in love with de Boeck along the way. Excellent production values. (Dutch and French dialogue)