Some outstanding documentaries stay in our memory because of their important subjects, while others resonate due to their unique style and storytelling. When both elements come together in a single film, we encounter a work that truly deserves our attention, much like this film, which showcases Elizabeth Lo’s ongoing remarkable journey in documentary filmmaking.Mrs. Li is a Chinese woman in her fifties who has enjoyed a successful marriage for decades. However, this success is put at risk when she discovers that her husband is having a secret affair with a younger woman. In response, she turns to Ms. Wang Zhenxi, who practices a very unique profession born out of the needs of contemporary life in China. She is a ‘Mistress Dispeller,’ hired to assess the situation, attempt to end the affair, and help preserve the marriage.The film starts with a personal story that, intelligently and subtly, explores the patterns of relationships in a society at a significant crossroads. It contrasts the traditional core of society, where women continue to fight for equality, with the economic success and individual freedoms enjoyed by many Chinese citizens—especially those from the upper-middle class. This shift not only opens doors to new temptations but also blurs the lines around the concepts of morality, family, and society.Not only does the achievement of Mistress Dispeller go beyond the depth of its subject; but it also extends to how Elizabeth Lo handles the story and her ability to capture an unsettling intimacy through the interactions between characters. It’s unsettling because the viewer might momentarily perceive it as a fictional film, and when they realize it’s a documentary, it becomes difficult to shake off the feeling of voyeurism, as if they are witnessing matters that should unfold behind closed doors, rather than being allowed to observe discussions and thoughts with such ease.This is a film that lingers in the mind, raising thought-provoking questions about our contemporary lives and the ways cinema penetrates that reality.Ahmed Shawky