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The Mission

Name: The Mission
Director: Roland Joffé
Released: 1986
Duration: 125 min

Representation Score

3.0/10

Limited

1986

Director

Roland Joffé

Runtime

125 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film's diversity profile contrasts traditional social structures with progressive political themes. It lacks LGBTQ+ representation and women's ability to drive the story but avoids portraying indigenous populations as passive victims. Instead, the Guaraní people are central to the story, challenging the superiority of Western colonial institutions.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Mission have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film is set in a historical context that assumes everyone is straight and cisgender. There are no depictions of LGBTQ+ identities or stories.

How does The Mission portray gender?

Limited

The story focuses mainly on male characters, particularly Father Gabriel and Rodrigo Mendoza. Women play minor roles and are mostly sidelined in the main geopolitical conflict.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Mission?

Excellent

The film highlights the Guaraní people, giving them a strong role in the story. This helps to challenge traditional Eurocentric views.

How does The Mission represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The film critiques Western institutions and the corruption of state and religious power. It portrays the 'civilizing mission' as a tool for exploitation.

Does The Mission include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any significant representation of visible or invisible disabilities in the main characters.

Present on Screen

The Guaraní people are given a strong role in the story rather than being portrayed as passive victims.
The narrative provides a sophisticated critique of Western institutionalism and imperialist dominance.
The film effectively challenges the perceived superiority of colonial state and church structures.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks significant women's ability to drive the story, relegating women to the periphery of the conflict.
There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities.
The narrative focuses heavily on male protagonists and traditional social hierarchies.

Official Synopsis

When a Spanish Jesuit goes into the South American wilderness to build a mission in the hope of converting the Indians of the region, a slave hunter is converted and joins his mission. When Spain sells the colony to Portugal, they are forced to defend all they have built against the Portuguese aggressors.

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