‘DAENS - Stijn Coninx’

Please note that tickets that are not collected at least 10 minutes before the start of the screening will be available again at the entrance. There will be a waiting list for people who show up on the evening itself without registration.

​​​​​​​Daens tells the story of the struggle of Adolf Daens, a progressive priest, against the hazardous working conditions, child labour and low wages in the textile factories of Aalst at the end of the 19th century. Outraged at the unwillingness of Catholic politicians to bring about change, and to prevent the workers from falling into the hands of the godless socialists, Adolf Daens founded the Christene Volkspartij [Christian People’s Party] to counter the governing Katholieke Partij [Catholic Party]. 

The film was restored and conserved by the Royal Belgian Film Archive (Cinematek) using its own equipment. The original negatives and optical audio negatives were digitally restored. The complete restoration process and the grading were carried out in close consultation with director Stijn Coninx. 

Stijn Coninx released his first feature film in 1987. He has been a valued assistant-director to Roland Verhavert and Dominique Deruddere, among others. This biopic of the rebellious priest Daens won him an Oscar nomination - the first for a Flemish film - for Best International Film. His most recent film was Niet Schieten, about the Brabant Killers. Stijn Coninx is also the head of the film department at the RITCS. 
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On the day of the event itself, we will check whether or not the current situation and measures allow the event to take place. In case of cancellation, everyone who registered will be notified immediately.