freedom struggle of the workmen. Woeste sets up a plot in which he even involves the Holy See. Daens is summoned by Pope Leo XIII and is put before a dilemma: either he stays a priest or he becomes a politician. Daens just neglects the warnings and continues both of his activities. This leads to his compulsory defrocking. Eventually, Daens convinces the Belgian politicians that work conditions must improve and workmen must have more rights. Thanks to this action, the directors are forced to invest in better work conditions and to assume a greater responsibility in the prevention of accidents. Cast Jan Decleir – Adolf Daens Gérard Desarthe – Charles Woeste Antje de Boeck – Nette Scholliers Michael Pas – Jan De Meeter Karel Baetens – Jefke Julien Schoenaerts – Bishop Stillemans Wim Meuwissen – Pieter Daens Brit Alen – Louise Daens Johan Leysen – Schmitt Idwig Stéphane – Eugene Borremans Jappe Claes – Ponnet Frank Vercruyssen – Louis Scholliers Matthias Schoenaerts – Wannes Scholliers Bart Geyskens – schoolboy Awards and nominations See also List of submissions to the 65th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film List of Belgian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film References External links Films directed by Stijn Coninx 1993 films 1990s Dutch-language films 1990s French-language films Latin-language films 1990s historical drama films Belgian historical drama films Belgian biographical drama films Films set in Belgium Films set in the 1890s Films set in the 1900s Films set in the Victorian era Films based on Belgian novels Films shot in Brussels Films shot in Ghent 1990s biographical drama films Films adapted into plays Cultural depictions of Belgian men Cultural depictions of religious leaders Cultural depictions of activists Cultural depictions of politicians Works about the Industrial Revolution 1992 drama films 1992 films 1993 drama films