February 19, 7:00 pm–9:15 pm
Free, no reservation required

Venue: Page Auditorium
Duke University, 402 Chapel Dr., Durham, NC 27708

Map + Parking

MISTRESS DISPELLER

2024 / China, United States / 94 minutes
Director: Elizabeth Lo
Producers: Emma D. Miller, Elizabeth Lo, Maggie Li

Elizabeth Lo’s lauded MISTRESS DISPELLER is a riveting watch, one in which we frequently marvel at the participants agreeing to such intimate exchanges being captured on camera. The film offers a rare glimpse into a fascinating profession in China—the job of dismantling extramarital affairs and helping mend broken marriages. Lo follows a woman who has engaged one such professional, skillfully navigating the complex web of trust between the client, her husband, and his mistress. Through keen observation and extended, revealing sequences juxtaposed with close-ups, Lo subtly documents the dispeller’s calibrated approach as she coaches each person through carefully orchestrated interactions. Balancing surprising moments of humor with a deep undercurrent of pathos, Mistress Dispeller offers a nuanced exploration of contemporary Chinese culture, gender roles, morality, and navigating betrayal. It’s also a compassionate, melancholic story of a marriage struggling to survive. Striking camera compositions and an elegant, elegiac score lend the film cinematic flair and emotional resonance, culminating in an unforgettable denouement.

Q&A with producer Emma Miller following screening.

Co-Sponsored by Duke Venue & Production Management.