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Mistress Dispeller

Directed by Elizabeth Lo

China | Documentary | 94

18 Oct
Fri, Oct 18 at 7:30 pm PT

Guests Expected

Director Elizabeth Lo is expected to attend.

Description

When Mrs. Li discovers evidence of her husband’s infidelity, she takes drastic measures to save her marriage at all costs. She employs Wang Zhenxi, affectionately referred to as Teacher Wang, to be her “mistress dispeller.” Teacher Wang is part of a burgeoning cottage industry in China that works in precarious ways to repair failing marriages. Through calculated infiltration of Mr. Li and his mistress’s extramarital life, Teacher Wang proceeds to masterfully manipulate both parties to bring an unassailable end to their affair. Elizabeth Lo’s provocative documentary paints a spellbinding portrait of a woman for hire and delicately gains unprecedented access to the intimate private lives of all parties involved in the doomed love triangle. Mistress Dispeller is an extraordinary examination of love in the 21st century and of those willing to preserve it, by any means necessary.
—Jordan Klein

Director/Producer/Cinematographer/Co-Editor Elizabeth Lo

Elizabeth Lo is an award-winning filmmaker currently based between Hong Kong and Los Angeles. She received her MFA from Stanford University. Her directorial work has been showcased at Sundance, IDFA, SXSW, Tribeca, MoMA, AFI Fest, True/False, New York Times Op-Docs, Field of Vision, and PBS’ POV. She previously directed Stray (2020), which was recognized by Hot Docs, the Independent Spirit Awards, Critics Choice Documentary Awards and Cinema Eye Honors.

Film Details

Language Mandarin

Year 2024

Runtime 94

Country China, USA

Director Elizabeth Lo

Executive Producer Nick Shumaker, Jessica Grimshaw, Jenny Raskin, Kelsey Koenig, Geralyn White Dreyfous, David Levine, Dawn Olmstead, Rahdi Taylor, Davis Guggenheim, Steve Cohen, Paula Froehle; Co-Executive Producers: Lauren Haber, Marni E. J. Grossman

Producer Emma D. Miller, Elizabeth Lo, Maggie Li

Editor Charlotte Munch Bengtsen

Cinematographer Elizabeth Lo

Music Brian McOmber

Closed Captions Closed Captions are currently confirmed for this film

Audio Description Audio Descriptions aren't currently confirmed for this film

American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation American Sign Language Interpretation is not currently scheduled for this film