I had the chance to see Mistress Dispeller at the Zurich Film Festival, and I really liked it. The cinematography was breathtaking, the soundtrack well picked, and certain moments were so raw and emotional that it was hard to believe this was a documentary. It was also, I have to say, no matter how heavy the topic, an enjoyable blend of funny and sad. Some scenes made me sad. Others gave me food for thought for my own relationship. Definitely had to laugh at some points.
We were lucky enough that the producer and director were present. They shared afterwards that they followed several groups of people for three years before finding the right story, almost giving up at one point. It must be really difficult to document such a story, where people need a lot of courage to stay in and not change their mind, or also where you really don't know what the outcome may be. I have immense respect for the wife, husband, and mistress who agreed to participate-it's rare to see such vulnerability on camera, especially in a culture like China's, where privacy is highly valued. Interesting fact that they can't play the docu in China, so the family can remain untouched by uhese revelations and keep their faces.
What really stood out to me was the neutral, empathetic portrayal of everyone involved. There was no villain, just people in pain trying to navigate a rough patch in their lives. Watching them discuss difficult, painful topics was both fascinating and inspiring. No yelling, no screaming. Try this in Europe, I dare you, that's definitely not how I argue. :)
But what really made my jaw drop was Miss Wang, the "mistress dispeller,". Her ability to anticipate and manage the emotions and interactions of the people involved was nothing short of extraordinary. She seemed to have cracked the code to human behavior, almost guiding the narrative with precision. People acted and talked exactly how she predicted. It's like she managed what millions of therapists and patients are unsuccessfully trying to understand every day.
Unique glimpse into a world I didn't even know existed. Highly recommended.
