Chinese comedy "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East" captivates audiences at Kuala Lumpur premiere
Cinema can unite people through simple, universally understood feelings — the taste of food, the warmth of home, the kindness of a stranger. When an audience laughs and cries together, language and cultural barriers disappear. That is exactly what happened at the Malaysian premiere, where the story of a chef and his small restaurant resonated with viewers from all walks of life.
The Malaysian premiere of the Chinese action-comedy "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East" drew enthusiastic crowds at a special screening in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, ahead of the film's official release. The film, also known as "Welcome to the Dragon Restaurant," will be shown in more than 110 cinemas across the country starting Friday, with more than 550 daily screenings during the initial release period.
The story follows a Chinese chef who goes to the Middle East in the early 2000s to start a business but faces the outbreak of war. His small restaurant becomes a refuge for local residents and children. Combining culinary traditions with a story of resilience and the kindness of ordinary people in times of conflict, the film has found a strong intercultural response from viewers of different backgrounds.
The buzz was evident long before Monday evening's screening: long queues formed at the cinema well before the show began. Viewers and guests eagerly awaited their specially designed tickets, featuring a kitchen spatula on one end and a dragon's head with bullet motifs on the other, blending culinary motifs with the film's themes.
Xie Junjiang, executive director of Mega Films, one of Malaysia's leading independent film distributors, said he expects the film to resonate strongly with Malaysian audiences. "The film coincides well with the theme of Malaysia's National Day — peaceful coexistence. Malaysia is home to three main ethnic groups, which makes this film an excellent choice for local audiences. We hope that after watching it, people can live together in peace and remain united," he said.
From carefree laughter to emotional tears, viewers were deeply moved by the film's sincere emotions, and many remained touched long after the credits rolled. "This is truly the best film of the year," said one viewer. "It was hard to watch until the very end — be sure to bring tissues," said another.
For one Malaysian viewer of Chinese descent, the film's emotional power came through food. "It uses Chinese cuisine to convey a sense of universal harmony, naturally uniting all the emotions. That is what touched me most in 'Dragon Restaurant,'" she said.
The film's message of cross-border kindness and compassion also reached beyond Chinese-speaking audiences, resonating with Malay and other non-Chinese viewers. "I was simply speechless because this film is truly amazing. And I feel this film really opens our eyes. Regardless of our ethnicity or background, we are all the same, and we should have strong feelings of compassion and empathy," said a Malaysian viewer.
As reported by CCTV+, the Malaysian premiere of "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East" became a notable cultural event, bringing together viewers of different nationalities. The film, combining a culinary theme with a story of human kindness, is already generating buzz in cinemas across the country, and its message of unity and mutual understanding is especially resonant with the values of multicultural Malaysia.
