Live Roundups Editor's Desk Insights Executive Ops Weather About 🔍
Home › Entertainment › China’s Iraq War ‘safe haven’ restaurant film of real...
Entertainment

China’s Iraq War ‘safe haven’ restaurant film of real people to represent country at Oscars

China’s Iraq War ‘safe haven’ restaurant film of real people to represent country at Oscars
South China Morning Post Thursday 15 October 2026, 10:00 UTC By Zoey Zhang 1 min read
Key Points

A mainland-produced film about a Chinese restaurant in Baghdad that became a wartime refuge has been selected as China’s entry for next year’s Oscars, bringing global attention to untold stories from the Iraq War. Directed by Wen Muye and starring Shen Teng and Jiang Qiming, Once Upon a Time in the Middle East became a box-office hit after its domestic release in China in August, earning more than 2.3 billion yuan (US$344 million). The film follows Xu Fu, a chef who travels to the Middle...

A mainland-produced film about a Chinese restaurant in Baghdad that became a wartime refuge has been selected as China’s entry for next year’s Oscars, bringing global attention to untold stories from the Iraq War. Directed by Wen Muye and starring Shen Teng and Jiang Qiming, Once Upon a Time in the Middle East became a box-office hit after its domestic release in China in August, earning more than 2.3 billion yuan (US$344 million). The film follows Xu Fu, a chef who travels to the Middle East to... [Image text:] DOLE DOEM EAST RE Abi CHINESE RESTAURANT CHINESE ESTAURAN
China (LOCATION) Iraq War ‘ (EVENT) Oscars (PERSON) Chinese (ORG) Baghdad (LOCATION) the Iraq War (EVENT) Wen Muye (PERSON) Shen Teng (PERSON) Jiang Qiming (PERSON) the Middle East (LOCATION) Xu Fu (PERSON)
Originally published by South China Morning Post Read original →

Related Stories

Reform UK councillors and candidates filmed making racist remarks

Undercover footage reveals racist and graphic sexual comments, leading to several resignations as party comes under fresh scrutiny

Financial Times 56m ago

Princess and Junior Andre speak about South Africa robbery for first time - 'We thought we'd die'

Princess and Junior Andre speak about South Africa robbery for first time - 'We thought we'd die' Princess and Junior Andre have said they thought they would die during a 2018 robbery in South Africa, speaking about the traumatic event for the first time since it happened Princess and Junior Andre have spoken about a traumatic robbery in South Africa for the first time, sharing that they thought they were going to die. The two reality TV stars were in South Africa in 2018 with their mum...

Daily Mirror 1h ago

London’s oldest restaurant gets National Trust protection

A 228-year-old building that houses London's oldest restaurant has been donated to Europe's biggest conservation charity in the hope of saving it for centuries to come, according to a report by the Associated Press. Along with the building, the donation also includes items such as visitor books, menus, caricatures, photographs, stained glass and signs. It also includes annual rent from the ongoing restaurant business, which will go into conservation work each year.

Times of India 1h ago

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle accused of staging 'royal theatre' as King Charles faces new dilemma: expert

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are being accused of playing royals on their own terms — and sidestepping the late Queen Elizabeth II's wishes in the process. On Oct. 15, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are scheduled to visit Nottingham for their first joint public appearance since returning to the U.K., Fox News Digital confirmed. The city holds special significance for the couple, as it was the first place they visited after announcing their engagement in November 2017.Kinsey Schofield, host...

Fox News 1h ago