Chinese anti-war film "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East" has drawn widespread praise since its release earlier this month, with its moving story of ordinary people caught in the chaos of conflict staying with audiences long after the end credits roll.
The film has been one of the surprise success stories since its release on Aug. 11, earning over 1.6 billion yuan (more than 238 million U.S. dollars) at the box office and cementing its place as one of the biggest hits of China’s lucrative summer film season.
Rather than relying on grand battle scenes, the story unfolds almost entirely inside the confines of a small Chinese restaurant in a war-torn Middle East country in the early 2000s.
Directed by Wen Muye, who is no stranger to handling hard subject matter after his landmark 2018 social drama "Dying to Survive," the new movie has been making a big impression on film fans.
It tells the tale of Xu Fu, a down-on-his-luck Chinese chef played by comedian Shen Teng, who travels to the region to settle his debts. There, he joins forces with a local restaurant manager to run a bustling restaurant, bringing authentic Chinese cooking to a country at war.
At a recent promotional event in north China's Tianjin Municipality, the film’s leading man and director shared their reflections on making the movie.
"When Old Xu Fu meets his younger self at the airport -- the version of himself from 20 years ago -- I think he's asking whether anyone would be willing to go to the Middle East. But in the end, what he gains outweighs what he loses, so the journey is still worthwhile," said star actor Shen.
"We Chinese people should love peace, eat well, and convey our value of peace to the world," said director Wen.
The film has struck an emotional chord with audience members too, with some moviegoers sharing the moments that stood out for them.
"There is one scene that really left an impression on me. Suddenly, the protagonists said there was an earthquake, but it was actually bombing. I felt deeply shocked in that moment, and tears just came streaming down my face," said Song Meixuan, a moviegoer.
"I want to quote the last sentence of the film: 'Eat well, live well. Peace is the foundation of everything,'" said another audience member Lyu Haokai.
"The film is about friendship, life and children. What struck me most is that every life matters, no matter where or when," said another viewer.
The movie’s strong performance comes as China is nearing the end of its three-month-long summer box office season which runs from June 1 to Aug 31, while authorities have also launched campaigns to boost consumption in cinemas across the nation.
Chinese anti-war film draws emotional response, wins wide audience acclaim
