On August 25, the film Once Upon a Time in the Middle East officially announced its global release schedule. It will hit theatres in China’s Hong Kong, China’s Macao, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia on September 11, in Singapore on September 17, and in Japan on September 18. Further releases will follow across North America, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and other regions.
Directed by Wen Muye, Once Upon a Time in the Middle East conveys a simple wish for peace through everyday human warmth. Through a table of hearty meals, the film lets global audiences experience the depth and power of Chinese‑style storytelling. Ahead of its release, the film has won widespread acclaim from viewers online. Comments include “This film beautifully shares Chinese culture and traditional philosophies of life” and “It leaves a lasting impression — a sincere work that fearlessly depicts reality and explores human nature.” Its popularity and ratings keep rising across major platforms. Its Douban score has climbed three times to 8.7, ranking first among summer‑season releases and marking one of this year’s must‑see films.
On August 13, the creative team held a local event in Wuhan. Audience members presented them with a silk banner and a trophy. Shen Teng carefully rolled up the banner and shared his thoughts: “Awards matter, yet they do not. Every actor hopes to receive recognition. Still, there is no guarantee you will get it. To be loved by audiences is already great fortune for me. I may not be fortunate enough to win both public affection and industry acclaim. I am truly content with where I stand now.”
This is Wen Muye’s third feature‑length film, following Dying to Survive and Nice View. The story centres on a Chinese chef who opens a Chinese restaurant thousands of miles from home amid war‑torn lands, changing the fate of a group of local children. Set outside China, it carries simple‑hearted Chinese ideals: to eat well, to live well, and to care for children.
Director Wen Muye commented: “This tells a Chinese story. As China develops, the line between domestic and international perspectives has blurred. Chinese narratives transcend geographical boundaries, and we are now thinking on a global scale. As China grows more international, we ought to tell our own stories for overseas audiences to hear. By depicting Chinese people living abroad, we also strike a chord with domestic viewers. This evolution mirrors our nation’s growing strength.”
