DAENS
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Sound format: Dolby Stereo SR
Stijn 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)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Sound format: Dolby Stereo SR
Stijn 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)