Once upon a time in a movie about the Middle East

Once Upon a Time in the Middle East has been a phenomenal hit in China. It follows a debt-ridden Chinese chef who travels to the Middle East to make money, only to find himself caught between war and peace, life and death. He is not a superhero. He is an ordinary man – and that is the point. Through his eyes, the film turns war into something deeply human: a warm meal, children protected from conflict and ordinary people trying to survive. As more Chinese citizens live and work around the world, and wars continue to threaten civilian lives, the story has resonated far beyond China. As the film reaches cinemas worldwide, CGTN’s Tian Wei spoke with its director and screenwriter, Wen Muye, known for telling stories of ordinary people. Why did he choose war – and an ordinary Chinese chef – to tell this story?

#China #Chinese #Movie #Film #director #WenMuye #Loong #dragon #food #restaurant #MidEast #Iraq #war #terrorist #army

00:00 - Intro

01:20 - Message of the movie

04:30 - Warm food, not war

13:06 - Diversified casting

18:45 - Director’s personality


📺 Subscribe to our YouTube channel and stay updated with our latest analysis and interviews:👇
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgrNz-aDmcr2uuto8_DL2jg 👈

Download our APP on Apple Store (iOS): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cctvnews-app/id922456579?l=zh&ls=1&mt=8
Download our APP on Google Play (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.imib.cctv

For more:
https://www.cgtn.com/video

Most watched videos:
Impossible Challenge: 30 seconds to count banknotes BLINDFOLDED
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmP_Ybj-jws
Impossible Challenge: Gymnastics Boy Arat Hosseini from Iran!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sxX--U4c8w
Impossible Challenge: How to calm babies in 5 seconds?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR3q9sXM7WA