Film: DAENS - 2K RESTORATION

Presumably Cinema Plaza has existed for a little longer, but the earliest provable document of the existence of Cinema Ankerpaleis in the Handelsstraat dates from 1926. A thorough reason for both Plazapeters Jan & Kris De Smet to celebrate the centenary in 2026 with some pearls from film history. Daens, the Oscar-nominated film by Stijn Coninx starring Jan Decleir from 1992, returns to the cinema in a restored 2K version. Aalst, late 19th century. Priester Adolf Daens returns to his hometown, which is plagued by social inequality, child labor, low wages, and abysmal working conditions in the textile industry. Driven by his sense of justice, Daens chooses the side of the workers, even though he clashes with the conservative Church, the wealthy bourgeoisie, and even his own bishop. When he denounces the abuses to the Church, he incurs the wrath of the factory directors and church authorities. Daens founds the Christene Volkspartij, is elected as a member of parliament, and thus puts the rights of ordinary people on the agenda, with far-reaching consequences for the city, the Church, and his own vocation as a priest. With this re-release, not only is a masterpiece of Belgian film history honored, but also the lasting relevance of its themes: social struggle, engagement, and human dignity. direction: Stijn Coninx • with Michaël Pas, Jan Decleir, Antje De Boeck • 1992 • 138 min