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Once Upon a Time in the Middle East

2026 2 h 20 min Drama · War 欢迎来龙餐馆

A drama set in the 2000s Iraq War, where a Chinese chef and a restaurant manager face the collapse of their successful eatery amid escalating violence.

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About the film

Eat well, stay alive.

What it’s about

Xu Fu travels to the Middle East to work as a chef in a Chinese restaurant, hoping to clear his family's debts. He meets floor manager Ma Junsheng there. Their Dragon Restaurant becomes renowned for its authentic Chinese food, but when war breaks out, local conditions deteriorate sharply and everyone is affected.

What hooks you

Shen Teng and Jiang Qiming lead the cast as Xu Fu and Ma Junsheng. Director Wen Muye also wrote the screenplay and produced. The film blends culinary art with a historical war backdrop set in the 2000s Iraq War.

Who it’s for

It is a good pick for those who appreciate tension that builds slowly as ordinary lives are caught up in larger conflicts, and for viewers drawn to stories about food and survival in harsh settings.

Technical details
Country
China
Year
2026
Genres
Drama, War
Running time
2h 20min
World premiere
Aug 8, 2026
Box office (world)$289,215,000

Ratings

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1 · Didn't land 10 · Masterpiece

Creative team

All 14
Director Wen Muye
Starring
  1. 01 Shen Teng Xu Fu
  2. 02 Jiang Qiming Ma Junsheng
  3. 03 Omar Sherif plays himself · Seif
  4. 04 Aarif Lee Tony
  5. 05 Aarif Rahman Tony
  6. 06 Peter Daniel Adams Sentry
  7. 07 Sherif Sabry Zayd
  8. 08 Jason Fielders Peter
  9. 09 Ahmed Salim Ali
  10. 10 Darren Grosvenor News Journalist / VP Dick Cheney
  11. 11 Faruk Muhammad Jamal
  12. 12 Tanner Hagen Joel Brady
  13. 13 Russell Shealy Morgan

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