Following its successful run in China, the film 'Once Upon a Time in the Middle East' debuted in North America on Friday in a limited theatrical release. This film is a profound reflection on the horrors of war and the value of peace.
Distributor Well Go USA Entertainment is showing this Chinese drama with English subtitles in over 120 theaters in major North American cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Chicago, New York, Boston, Toronto, and Vancouver.
The film was directed by Wen Muye and stars Shen Teng and Jian Qimin. It tells the story of Xu Fu, a Chinese chef who travels to the Middle East to work in a Chinese restaurant after falling into debt at home. Together with the restaurant manager Ma Junsheng, he helps create a popular establishment that becomes a meeting place for people from different social strata.
However, when the war begins, the restaurant transforms into a backdrop for a moving story about survival, human resilience, and the pursuit of peace.
Several viewers who watched the film in the Los Angeles area told Xinhua that the picture deserves high praise. They noted that the film gives North American audiences an opportunity to view the conflicts and military actions in the Middle East from a perspective different from what Hollywood usually portrays. Some viewers also highly appreciated the technical mastery and the international approach to the film's narrative.
Alivia, who watched the film at the AMC theater in Monterey Park, shared that the movie deeply moved her. She stated: 'It really opened people's eyes to what is actually happening in the Middle East, and shows how everyone is involved, not just Americans and (people in the) Middle East. That's it. It released all my emotions so I could feel what they feel.' Alivia added: 'I think it should win awards, really. It's a very amazing film.'
'Once Upon a Time in the Middle East' was selected by mainland China as an official participant in the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards ceremony.
According to data from Maoyan, a Chinese ticketing and film database platform, since its premiere on August 11, the film has grossed over 2.36 billion yuan ($330 million) in mainland China. The film received positive reviews from the Chinese public, achieving a rating of 9.7 out of 10 on Maoyan.