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The Appointed

Name: The Appointed
Director: Daniel Wachsmann
Released: 1990
Duration: 94 min

Representation Score

5.8/10

Fair

1990

Director

Daniel Wachsmann

Runtime

94 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film explores power dynamics, especially through the inversion of gendered ability to act. By giving mystical authority to a female character, it challenges conventional social hierarchies. Culturally, the story critiques religious institutions and the burdens of communal roles while providing a specific Middle Eastern context. However, the film lacks explicit LGBTQ+ representation and provides limited information about the ethnic diversity of its supporting cast.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Appointed have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film doesn't explicitly depict LGBTQ+ identities. The central romantic tension between Shmaya and Oshra revolves around personal desire versus religious duty.

How does The Appointed portray gender?

Fair

Oshra subverts traditional roles by having genuine mystical power. While Shmaya holds social authority, the female protagonist has the primary metaphysical ability to act.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Appointed?

Fair

Set in Northern Israel, the film suggests a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultural backdrop. However, specific details about the ethnic makeup of the supporting cast are not provided.

How does The Appointed represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques organized religion by examining the tension between personal impulses and communal expectations. It questions the sanctity of inherited spiritual leadership roles.

Does The Appointed include disability representation?

Minimal

No visible or invisible disabilities are central to the character arcs or the plot progression.

Present on Screen

Subverts traditional gender hierarchies by giving the female protagonist superior mystical power.
Offers a thoughtful critique of the tension between individual identity and religious institutions.
Provides a culturally specific setting that moves away from standard Western-centric narratives.

Limited or Absent

Lacks explicit representation or visibility for LGBTQ+ identities.
Provides limited detail regarding the specific ethnic and racial diversity of the ensemble cast.

Official Synopsis

Shmaya (Shuli Rand), a small-time magician whose career consists of gigs at local venues in the north of Israel, meets Oshra (Ronit Elkabetz) at one of his shows, who possesses genuine mystical powers. Shmaya makes Oshra part of his act and together, they perform real-life feats of magic and miracles before their slack-jawed audiences. Meanwhile, Shmaya’s father – a holy man with his own loyal following, is dying. He asks his followers to bring him his estranged son, so that he can take his place after his death and lead their community. Shmaya does just that and goes on to become a spiritual leader. However, his ongoing attraction to Oshra is now on a collision course with his new calling.

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