Venice 2024 (Orizzonti): Mistress Dispeller (by Elizabeth Lo) | Review
Elizabeth Lo’s clandestine documentation of China’s contemporary service for bold spouses is a breakthrough in the portrayal of marital affairs.
Infidelity has persisted throughout the world for centuries, possibly dating back to the prehistoric era. These affairs, with their myriad intricacies, do not lead to satisfaction but continue to spread like a pandemic. The influence is comparable to dopamine or drugs, offering a temporary form of escapism. A secret profession in China detects this ongoing threat and provides a special service—the methodical exclusion of mistresses from marital turmoil. At this point, I wondered if this was a futuristic and logical bonus episode of Desperate Housewives set in China.
Documentary enthusiast Elizabeth Lo, who directed Stray, transforms her 2021 live-action short film of the same name into a feature documentary for the 81st Venice Film Festival’s Orizzonti section, broadening the scope to include a systematic investigation of this dispelling procedure. We are introduced to a married woman who senses a change in her husband’s behavior and eventually discovers an illicit text message on his phone. Although she acknowledges the validity of her suspicions, she desires the truth to be disclosed in a manageable way. The precariousness of the situation becomes apparent, and her beliefs are called into question. To find the right resolution, she schedules an appointment with a mistress dispelling service, which begins with the expert’s covert operation to ward off the affair.
Initially, the idea of invading someone’s privacy brought me back to the cinematic universe where a private investigator would don a cap and jacket to pursue a clue through secret passages to uncover the truth. However, that’s not the case here. Surprisingly, we are exposed to a completely different arena, where every step is carefully orchestrated according to a predetermined plan of naturally integrating into the family. The expert professional, Wang Zhenxi (called Teacher Wang), is a master at comprehending the emotions and feelings of both men and women, and she is also adept at extracting the truth deceptively from their mouths. At one point, it manifests as a peaceful psychological interrogation, where the fundamental principles of maintaining relationships are dismantled, engaging in a challenging game of expectations and commitments. The expert’s precise questions, which cause the men to hesitate when crafting their answers, occasionally stun the screen with pragmatism. One might perceive this as a manifestation of David Copperfield, given the woman’s unwavering determination to work her magic, but Teacher Wang plays the role of a disruptor for the mistress with composure and professionalism. Her thought process is devoid of any moral judgments, as she immerses herself in the minds of the trio, understanding their adaptability, concerns, and the seriousness of their inner feelings.
The documentary draws attention to the whirlwind overview of affairs, ranging from the erosion of trust to the fundamentals of maintaining the integrity of marriage. Its honest and out-of-the-box dissection of adult relationships captures the entire scenario of a domestic tragedy, yet it also tries to pinpoint the humane influence behind the disruptive decisions. It provides us with various insights to comprehend and view the scenario, allowing for one’s final decision—whether it leads to a brighter restart or a darker end. Perhaps it demonstrates selfishness when men make self-centered decisions without considering the impact on their families. It may also be seen as a form of revenge by the spouses who want justice for the indecent move that has caused a blackout in their lives. In a broader context, could it be interpreted as a form of karma, where the expert now views the men as the victims, rather than their spouses and mistresses who were suffering in their own ways? The echoes of Giacomo Puccini’s “O Mio Babbino Caro” become louder and clearer.
Elizabeth Lo skillfully showcases the power of feminism in the right direction, where women stand up for themselves and help each other to claim what’s rightfully theirs—even if it involves a decline in morality for some. These women have a valid desperation, a predicament, and a need to be seen as important, which has intensified due to their individual miseries. Alternately, the advertisements of marriage proposals hanging on plastic strings along the walking gardens with QR codes attached are a hopeful sight that stays gracefully in the heart.
Explore our exclusive coverage of the 81st Venice International Film Festival here.
