Despite the Chinese government’s control, independent film director Lou Ye continues to produce unconventional, provocative films. The modern Chinese characters he chose for his film <Mystery> are willing to do anything and everything to have what they want. The story begins when Lu Jie, a middle-class housewife enjoying a comfortable life, finds out about her husband’s adultery. But what she witnesses is just a fraction of her husband’s epic love affairs. Lu Jie is forced to confront a series of mysterious events from the time her husband’s mistress intentionally approaches her. <Mystery> is a radical melodrama in the form of a thriller. Filled with infidelity and passion, conspiracy and murder, this dark, ominous film often loses its way and moves away from reality. But the drama retains a power nonetheless and faith fullyreflects Lou’s depressed viewpoint toward the big cities of highly capitalized China and its emerging bourgeoisie. (KANG Sowon)