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