Mistress Dispeller

In China, divorce remains extremely taboo; filmmaker Elizabeth Lo discovered that wives would much rather be stuck in the rut of an unfortunate relationship filled with infidelity and deceit than to be known as the neighbourhood divorcee. With this, Lo also uncovered an industry that helps couples mend their commitment failures. In her latest documentary, Mistress Dispeller, Lo presents the heartwrenching case of a woman who seeks the help of mistress dispeller Wang Zhenxi with the hopes of severing the ties of her husband’s adulterous relationship. In 94 minutes, Lo presents a beautifully shot film that stays true to human emotion whilst giving viewers a glimpse into societal possibilities that may have never considered.

Mistress Dispeller does not feel like a run-of-the-mill documentary; Lo and her co-producers Emma D Miller and Maggie Li do not follow typical genre conventions as the plot unfolds. Rather than interviewing the subjects or controlling what topics will be touched on, Lo allows Teacher Wang to work her magic. In Mistress Dispeller, viewers, as well as the creators, watch this particular couple’s fate unfold, thus allowing for the truest, most raw moments within this affair to have their time to shine. The wedded Wang and the mistress are not characters, but real people, and Lo makes a valiant and impressive effort to remind her audience. In this film, Lo proves that silence can be much louder than words. By putting the story in the hands of the couple, the filmmaker shows that a documentary is most powerful when all that view it are simply just flies on the wall watching everything unfold.

Mistress Dispeller also presents a side to a culture that some may have never considered; the idea of a tortured wife hiring a counsellor to intervene in an affair so she will not have to face societal repercussions of divorce is an intelligent scheme that proves to be effective. There are many countries where the separation of a lifetime commitment is somewhat normalised, and the determination highlighted here makes for an excellent view into a particular cultural custom. All relationships have their trials and tribulations, and this wife goes to great lengths to remedy hers when some would not bother trying. 

Overall, Mistress Dispeller is entirely unique and striking. Viewers are meant to feel exactly what this woman is experiencing, and between how each and every shot has its purpose and how thought-provoking this niche subject matter is, Lo and her team have created an excellent, meaningful production. Elizabeth Lo has given the world much to discuss and absorb as Mistress Dispeller finds itself in the mix at Venice Film Festival 2024.

Taryn Crowley

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Watch the trailer for Mistress Dispeller here: