Film Once Upon a Time in the Middle East Grossed 2.3B Yuan
The Chinese production, released in August 2026, focuses on a cook managing a restaurant in Iraq.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Chinese Food
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The film Once Upon a Time in the Middle East has earned over 2.3 billion yuan, approximately 343 million U.S. dollars, since its August 2026 theatrical debut. It follows a Chinese cook who travels to the Middle East, using a restaurant setting to highlight daily life amidst regional conflict.
Why it matters
The director utilized the narrative of a restaurant to contrast the warmth of shared meals with the destruction caused by war. This thematic approach offers a human-centric perspective on historical conflict through the lens of culinary and cultural exchange.
The film has grossed over 2.3 billion yuan, or 343 million U.S. dollars. There are currently 10 Chinese restaurants operating in Baghdad.
The players
Ameen Muneer Mohammed Al-Obaidi
He is an Iraqi actor and Iraq War survivor who moved to China in 2011 and features in the film as a waiter.
Chen Xianzhong
He is a 72-year-old restaurant owner who first visited Iraq in 1984 and operated a Chinese eatery in Baghdad.
Abdul Latif Rashid
He is the former President of Iraq who conducted a visit to China in June 2026.
The details
The movie stars Ameen Muneer Mohammed Al-Obaidi, an Iraq War survivor who moved to Yinchuan, China, in 2011 and plays a waiter in the film. The plot centers on a restaurant that serves as a communal gathering place for diverse people before the eventual eruption of violence.
Timeline
Chen Xianzhong opened his restaurant in Baghdad in 2003.
The Baghdad restaurant closed in 2005.
Ameen Muneer Mohammed Al-Obaidi moved to Yinchuan, China, in 2011.
The film was released in theaters in August 2026.
The article was published on October 4, 2026.
Culture Shift
The film aligns with the historical trend of culinary diplomacy in conflict zones. It reflects a growing cinematic trend of using local gastronomy to ground complex geopolitical narratives in relatable human experiences.
The film provides viewers with a unique perspective on the intersection of migration and global culinary traditions. Audience members can explore how shared dining experiences have historically served as a stabilizing force in regions affected by war.
The takeaway
Using the setting of a restaurant to depict war-torn environments helps viewers find common ground in the universal language of food. Understanding these cultural touchpoints can offer a more nuanced view of regions often defined solely by political headlines.
Further reading
Learn more about the influence of global cuisine in our Chinese Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by People's Daily, China.
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