The Dating Game

Film program, US/GB/NO 2025, 89 min., mand. OF + engl. UT

By: Violet Du Feng

China’s one-child policy, combined with a longstanding cultural preference for sons and the widespread practice of sex-selective abortions, has resulted in a demographic imbalance of nearly 30 million more men than women. In her film, Violet Du Feng follows five men who hope that attending a dating course will improve their chances with women and help them find a partner. From a Eurocentric perspective, much of what unfolds is undoubtedly unsettling, yet it is also deeply fascinating to watch how thoroughly the course instructor believes in his often dubious methods. Ultimately, there is a certain irony – and even humour – in seeing his girlfriend inform him that his supposed tricks have little effect on women at all.

Kiki Petersen

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