The Malaysian premiere of the Chinese anti-war action comedy "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East" drew enthusiastic crowds at a special screening in Kuala Lumpur on Monday ahead of the film's official release.
Also known as Welcome to Dragon Restaurant, the film will be screened in more than 110 cinemas across the nation starting Friday, with over 550 daily showings during its initial run.
The story follows a Chinese chef who travels to the Middle East in the early 2000s to start a business, only to face the outbreak of war. His small restaurant becomes a refuge for local civilians and children.
Blending culinary tradition with a story of ordinary people's resilience and kindness amid conflict, the film has struck a strong cross-cultural chord with audiences of diverse backgrounds.
The buzz was already visible well before Monday evening's debut screening, with long queues forming inside the cinema arrived well in advance of the start time.
Moviegoer and guests were eager to collect their specially-designed tickets, which featured a cooking spatula on one end, and a dragon head and bullet details on the other, combining food with the film's anti-war theme.
Xie Junjiang, executive director of Mega Films, one of the Malaysian leading independent movie distributors, said he expects the movie to resonate strongly with audiences in Malaysia.
"The film happened to align well with Malaysia's National Day theme of peaceful coexistence. Malaysia is home to three major ethnic groups, making this film a great fit for local audiences. We hope that after watching it, people can live together in peace and remain united," he said.
Moving from lighthearted laughter to emotional tears, audience members were deeply touched by the film's genuine emotion, with many visibly moved long after the credits rolled.
"It's truly the best film of the year," said one attendee.
"It was a tough watch until the end – make sure to bring tissues," said another.
For one Chinese Malaysian moviegoer,the film's emotional power came through its food.
"It uses Chinese cuisine to bring out a sense of universal harmony, naturally blending every emotion together. That's what touched me the most at the 'Dragon Restaurant'," she said.
The film's message of cross-border kindness and empathy also reached beyond the Chinese-speaking audience, resonating with Malay and other non-Chinese viewers.
"I am so speechless, because this movie is really amazing. And I feel this film really opens our eyes. No matter what ethnicity or background we come from, we are all the same, and we must have strong feelings of sympathy and empathy," said a Malaysian moviegoer.
Chinese anti-war film premieres in Malaysia as moviegoers
