Beijing, August 28: War stories typically revolve around guns, bombs, and battlefields. However, the Chinese film “Once Upon a Time in the Middle East” attempts to present war through the lens of a restaurant kitchen.
Directed by Wen Muye, the film follows Chinese chef Shu Fu, who travels to the Middle East to repay debts and begins working at a Chinese restaurant. Alongside restaurant manager Ma Junsheng, he creates a space where people from diverse cultures can gather to share meals. But as war breaks out, this restaurant becomes a hub for conflict, displacement, and human connections.
In the film, food symbolizes more than just sustenance; it represents normalcy, safety, and peace. Amidst the chaos, Shu Fu cooks rice for orphaned children. This simple meal provides them with a sense of security and belonging, later becoming known as “Shu Fu Rice Stew.”
The story is inspired by the real-life experiences of Shuai Zuejun, who operated a Chinese restaurant in Iraq. In 2004, he opened a restaurant in Baghdad, where he maintained human connections with local customers even during wartime. His experiences illustrate that memories of war are not solely filled with the sounds of explosions but also with the companionship found during difficult times.
The film features Iraqi actor and food blogger Ahmed Mohammed Jaber Al-Kalthoum, whose experiences reveal the psychological toll of war. Having witnessed conflict in his childhood, Jaber once mistook the sound of firecrackers in China for bomb explosions.
What sets this film apart from traditional war movies is its protagonist, who is an ordinary person rather than a superhero. Shu Fu gradually connects with the lives and struggles of others during the war, while Ma Junsheng makes sacrifices to protect the children.
Released on August 11 in China, the film has received a strong response from audiences. According to Maoyan, it is projected to earn over 2.5 billion yuan in China. On Douban, it has received a rating of 8.6.
The film’s most significant message is that the greatest cost of war is borne by ordinary lives. In such times, a warm meal, a safe home, and the simple joy of sharing food can represent the most profound image of peace.
(Source: China Media Group, Beijing)
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