Mistress Dispeller at Glasgow Film Festival review by Pat Byrne

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Mistress Dispeller at Glasgow Film Festival review by Pat Byrne

I ‘m not sure that it will catch on here! Mistress Dispellers are hired in China as undercover professionals, their job it is to intervene when a partner is cheating on a spouse, bring the affair to an end and repair the damage done to relationships.

Elizabeth Lo’s documentary has full consent of the three involved in a love triangle, Mrs Li, and her husband Mr Li, who is cheating on her with, the girl, Fei Fei. Wang Zhenx, is the Mistress Dispeller hired by Mrs Li to save her marriage.

The unrestricted access to the subjects and exploration of their feelings makes for a particularly intimate and unusual style of documentary as the film follows the story of this real case.

The Mistress Dispeller has tuned her role to a fine art, employing particular skills of deception as she builds empathy and gains the trust of both Mr Li and then Fei Fei; arranging to meet both under false pretences.

It’s an absorbing film offering a fascinating look at a different culture. There is no high drama, raised voices or objects thrown, although, the emotions of those involve is palpable. Wang works through the infidelity issue in an entirely non-judgemental fashion. Her aim is to save the marriage and repair the damage done and despite a very underhand approach she shows concern for all three characters involved – with particular sympathy lying with the young mistress.

I’m not sure if the service will catch on here but very the documentary allows us to take a particularly accessible view of how the flourishing Mistress Dispeller service operates in China.

Mistress Dispeller had its premiere at TIFF – the screening at Glasgow Film Festival will be its UK Premiere.

Mistress Dispeller screening at Glasgow Film Festival 2025, 5th and 6th March. Buy tickets.

Glasgow Film Festival until 9 March – All Listings