Elizabeth Lo’s documentary, “Mistress Dispeller,” offers a compelling exploration of a unique service in China designed to address marital infidelity. The film focuses on the experiences of six married couples, revealing their struggles with affairs and the lengths they go to save their marriages. Initially faced with challenges regarding consent from the subjects, the film’s release took three years, highlighting the delicate nature of its topic.
In a prelude to the documentary, text assures viewers that all participants consented to appear on screen. This transparency is crucial, especially given the sensitive subject matter of adultery. The film’s director, Elizabeth Lo, faced significant hurdles, including the withdrawal of consent from some couples. A notable point raised by journalist George Fenwick in AnOther magazine illustrates that Lo had to “conceal the true nature of the documentary” during its development.
Among the couples depicted, Mr. and Mrs. Li stand out. Residing in Luoyang, they represent an ordinary middle-class family, living a life marked by routine and unremarkable comfort. Mr. Li, characterized by his silence and constant phone use, often leaves his wife in the dark regarding his whereabouts. Mrs. Li’s growing suspicion leads her to enlist the help of Wang Zhenx, a marriage consultant known as “Teacher.”
Teacher Wang’s unconventional approach involves infiltrating couples’ lives under the guise of friendship with a mission to eliminate the mistress. This practice, which began in China approximately 20 years ago, has seen many individuals invest considerable amounts of money to safeguard their relationships. Founder of the Weiqing Love Hospital, Shu Xin, claims that there are 33 methods to deter unfaithful partners, with over a million clients having sought his services.
When Mrs. Li hires Teacher Wang, the latter pretends to be a badminton enthusiast keen to learn from Mr. Li. Through careful planning, the women orchestrate a dinner at the Li household, during which Mrs. Li creates a distraction, allowing Teacher Wang to engage directly with Mr. Li. It is during this intimate setting that Mr. Li admits to having an affair with a younger woman, Fei Fei, who embodies the allure of infidelity.
“Mistress Dispeller” captures the complexities of relationships caught in the web of betrayal. The film navigates these themes with surprising sensitivity, avoiding sensationalism while revealing the emotional depths of each character’s experience. Teacher Wang offers a poignant observation about mistresses, stating, “When someone becomes a mistress, it’s because they feel they don’t deserve complete love.”
A pivotal scene unfolds when Fei Fei and Mrs. Li meet under Teacher Wang’s guidance, leading to a conversation that is both sobering and charged with emotion. This encounter is a testament to the film’s ability to highlight the human experiences behind infidelity, a theme that resonates universally.
As the credits roll, viewers are left pondering the fates of the individuals portrayed, particularly the three main characters. The film raises questions about the long-term impacts of their choices and the societal norms surrounding marriage and fidelity in contemporary China. “Mistress Dispeller” thus serves not only as a documentary but as a mirror reflecting the complexities of love, trust, and betrayal in modern relationships.
