Elizabeth Los China-Set Docu Feature Mistress Dispeller Joins Party Film Sales Roster

September 2024 · 5 minute read

In the run up to its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Elizabeth Lo (“Stray”)’s anticipated second feature documentary “Mistress Dispeller” has been boarded by The Party Film Sales.

The Paris-based company has acquired international sales rights to the movie and has unveiled a clip. AC Independent and Submarine Entertainment are handling North American sales.

“Mistress Dispeller” will bow in the Horizons section at Venice on Sept. 2 before having its North American premiere at Toronto.

“Mistress Dispeller” takes place in China, where a new industry has emerged devoted to helping couples stay married in the face of infidelity. Wang Zhenxi is part of this growing profession, a “mistress dispeller” who is hired to maintain the bonds of marriage — and break up affairs — by any means necessary.

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The documentary follows a real, unfolding case of infidelity as Teacher Wang attempts to bring a couple back from the edge of crisis. Their story includes the perspectives of the husband, wife and mistress to explore romantic relationships in contemporary China.

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“Elizabeth Lo’s ‘Mistress Dispeller’ is a stunning film that completely grabs us from start to finish,” said
Estelle De Araujo and Samuel Blanc, co-heads of sales at Party Film Sales.

“Elizabeth’s camera blends seamlessly into the most intimate moments of her protagonists’ lives. The film delves into love, relationships and family, while also exploring the political dimensions of our interactions and societal expectations,” added the pair.

“Mistress Dispeller” was produced by Marcona Media and After Argos Films, and presented by Anonymous Content and Impact Partners in association with CMP. It was developed in association with The Concordia Studio Fellowship.

Producers are Emma D. Miller and Lo, as well as Maggie Li. The film is edited by Charlotte Munch Bengtsen. Executive Producers are Jenny Raskin, Kelsey Koenig, Geralyn White Dreyfous, Nick Shumaker, Jessica Grimshaw, David Levine, Dawn Olmstead, Rahdi Taylor, Davis Guggenheim, Steve Cohen, and Paula Froehle. Co-Executive Producers are Lauren Haber and Marni E.J. Grossman.

The Party Film Sales’ Venice line-up also includes Mehdi M. Barsaoui’s “Aicha” which will be world premiered in Horizons, the short film “O” by Rúnar Rúnarsson in the Short Competition and the restoration of “Model” by Frederick Wiseman in Venice Classics. 

The French sales company previously handled documentaries such as “Four Daughters” by Kaouther Ben Hania which earned an Oscar nomination.

Lo is best known for her critically acclaimed documentary feature “Stray” which came out in 2020 and revolved around a stray dog on the streets of Istanbul.

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