Once Upon a Time in the Middle East
Eat well, stay alive.
NR / 2h 21m / Drama · War
In select theaters Fri, Oct 9, 2026
About the film
Seeking a fresh start, chef Xu Fu travels to the Middle East to support his family and repay his debts. Alongside restaurant manager Ma Junsheng, he transforms the struggling Dragon Restaurant into a thriving business. But when war engulfs the city, their hard-won success is shattered and the restaurant becomes a refuge for those caught in the conflict. As danger closes in, Xu Fu must risk everything to protect his newfound community and preserve a small beacon of hope amid the devastation.
From Dying to Survive director Wen Muye, Once Upon a Time in the Middle East follows chef Xu Fu (Shen Teng) as he rebuilds a restaurant into a refuge amid war — a 141-minute Mandarin drama about community, survival, and risking everything to protect a small beacon of hope.
- Directed by
- Wen Muye
- Starring
- Shen Teng, Jiang Qiming, Omar Sherif, Aarif Rahman
Trailer
Watch on YouTubeUS release dates
- Limited release
Opening around the same time
US release dates from TMDB; on-sale status, A-List and formats from AMC Theatres. Dates can change and are refreshed throughout the day. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
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