Mistress Dispeller

An accomplished businessman of advancing years, Mr Li is having an affair with a much younger woman, Fei Fei. Li’s wife is aware, but instead of confronting her husband, she avails herself of the services of “mistress dispeller” Teacher Wang, who insinuates herself into Li and Fei Fei’s romance to make them see the error of their ways of their own accord. It’s a jaw-dropping subterfuge, but a strategy that throws this very familiar marital dynamic into sharp relief.

Indeed, watching Elizabeth Lo’s non-fiction film is often a surreal experience — not least because of the presence of the film crew in the midst of scenes of painful confession and soul-searching (all conducted with Chinese decorum of course). If it’s hard to imagine mistress dispellers catching on here, there’s something to be said for the kindness Teacher Wang extends to all three points of the love triangle. One of the most fascinating non-fiction films you will see this year, guaranteed.

This level of intimacy and access is rare in any nonfiction film, guiding Mistress Dispeller toward a profound and searching panorama of loneliness and partnership, where everyone gets a chance to be heard.

Ryan Lattanzio, Indiewire

A feat of intelligent, emotional filmmaking, Mistress Dispeller is one of the most compelling films of the year so far.

Dan Bayer, Next Best Picture

A spellbindingly intimate tale. Lo’s latest work solidifies that she’s one of the most exciting new voices in documentary. Some of the most jaw-dropping material in a film this year.

Pat Mullen, POV Magazine