The Dating Game

Set against the backdrop of contemporary urban China, Violet du Feng’s The Dating Game adopts a fly-on-the-wall perspective to follow three lonely men participating in a week-long “dating camp” led by Hao, a renowned dating expert. Over the course of the camp, we observe their “progress” as the men undergo makeovers, pose for dating app photos, and attempt to approach women in public spaces. Guided by Hao’s aphorisms and techniques designed to instill alpha-male confidence—the men stumble, succeed, and openly discuss their struggles. Meanwhile, Hao’s wife, a dating coach for women, offers a contrasting perspective that challenges her husband’s methods and his understanding of women. The result is a bittersweet and often humorous exploration of a technology-saturated world where love and connection can feel impossibly out of reach. (LA)