MISTRESS DISPELLER, a documentary feature directed by Elizabeth Lo and produced by Emma D. Miller, Maggie Li, and Charlotte Munch Bengsten, launched its world premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival. What an absolute thrill to be part of our film delegation at the Venice International Film Festival.
The production team faced probing questions from an enthusiastic audience at the Sept. 2 screening at the Venice Film Festival.
Elizabeth Lo (2nd from left), Maggie Li (center), Emma D. Miller (2nd from right), Charlotte Munch Bengsten (far right)
At the 81st Venice Film Festival, Elizabeth Lo won a Director Prize for “Authors under 40”; MISTRESS DISPELLER won the NETPAC Award | Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema.
These are Collateral Awards of the 81st Venice Film Festival—independently awarded by associations of independent film critics, clubs, cultural associations, and cinema professionals. Click here for details.
MISTRESS DISPELLER has received rave reviews from the media and film critics after the world premiere.
“Elegantly haunting and strangely romantic… Lo’s triumph with ‘Mistress Dispeller’ shows us that as far apart as our customs and cultures might be, the people that dwell in their margins are astonishingly alike… It’s fascinating to witness what Lo taps into here, building a link between China’s thriving economy and the sense of freedom (and, sometimes, unhappiness) that growth has brought to nuclear families… ‘Mistress Dispeller’ culminates in a beautiful final act, as everyone — the audience included — walks away with something rewarding and reflective from the time they’ve spent with Teacher Wang.”
– Tomris Laffly, VARIETY
“A delicately realised examination of marriage in modern China… Lo’s patiently observed documentary displays a cinematic quality which enhances its theatrical prospects… The narrative structure is highly effective… dexterously assembled… [It] encourages the viewer to examine their own beliefs regarding fidelity and commitment… By discreetly embedding her camera in domestic and social spaces, Lo captures unguarded confessions to achieve a genuine intimacy.”
– John Berra, SCREEN INTERNATIONAL
“[A] fascinating documentary… A riveting exploration of a relationship on the brink… A remarkably vulnerable film… Mistress Dispeller is so shocking in how vulnerable its subjects are willing to be on screen that you can’t help but sit slack-jawed in awe at some of its most intimate scenes… It’s so bracing at times you almost expect a reveal in the credits that everyone involved is an actor, but that never comes… What Lo has captured in Mistress Dispeller is astonishing. It almost feels like you’re listening in on real people’s private therapy sessions.”
– Barry Levitt, THE DAILY BEAST
“Featuring remarkable access – Mistress Dispeller is a profound look at love, marriage and emotion. By the extraordinary finale… Lo’s film emerges as a unique look at human connection, and all its fragilities.”
– James Mottram, SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
After the Venice Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the team will be heading to many more film festivals across North America and around the world. The festivals that have officially announced their selection of Mistress Dispeller include Camden International Film Festival, New Orleans Film Festival, and New Hampshire Film Festival.
One in a Billion Productions has provided a production grant to MISTRESS DISPELLER. Mable Chan serves as Consulting Producer, providing director Elizabeth Lo and her team creative input and feedback monthly during the film’s production.
Award-winning filmmaker Elizabeth Lo and producer Emma D. Miller
MISTRESS DISPELLER is a feature-length documentary following a professional (known as Mistress Dispeller) hired by a wife to break up her husband’s affair by any means necessary in order to save the marriage. This film powerfully illuminates a love triangle interrupted by the clash of duty and desire, generation and culture, class and norm in contemporary China.