Mistress Dispeller

What happens when there’s a crowd in a marriage? As sophomore filmmaker Elizabeth Lo finds, one possible answer is to sneak in a special fourth person. In China, a new industry has emerged devoted to helping couples stay married in the face of infidelity. Wang Zhenxi is part of this growing profession, a “mistress dispeller” who is hired to maintain the bonds of marriage — and break up affairs — by any means necessary. Offering strikingly intimate access to private dramas usually hidden behind closed doors, Mistress Dispeller follows a real, unfolding case of infidelity as Teacher Wang attempts to bring a couple back from the edge of crisis. Their story shifts our sympathies between husband, wife, and mistress to explore how emotion, pragmatism, and cultural norms collide to shape romantic relationships in contemporary China.

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Direction: Elizabeth Lo

Script: Elizabeth Lo, Charlotte Munch Bengtsen

Cinematography: Elizabeth Lo

Editing: Charlotte Munch Bengtsen, Elizabeth Lo, Ora DeKornfeld

Sound: Nathan Ruyle

Music: Brian McOmber

Production: Anonymous Content, Impact Partners

Producers: Elizabeth Lo, Emma Miller, Maggie Li

Format: DCP

Color: Colour

Production Country: China, USA

Production Year: 2024

Duration: 94'

Contact: The Party Film Sales

Awards/Distinctions: Authors under 40 Award & Netpac Award - Venice Film Festival (2024), Grand Jury Award - New Hampshire Film Festival (2024), Golden Frog Award - Camerimage (2024), Gold Hugo Award - Chicago International Film Festival (2024), Maysles Brothers Award - Denver Film Festival (2024), Documentary Award - New Orleans Film Festival (2024), Harrell Award - Special Mention - Camden International Film Festival (2024), Critics Choice Special Jury Mention - Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival (2024)

Elizabeth Lo

Filmography

2014 Hotel 22 (short)
2015 Last Stop in Santa Rosa (short)
2016 The Disclosure President (short)
2017 Mother's Day (short)
2020 Stray
2024 Mistress Dispeller