Chinese war drama Once Upon a Time in the Middle East gains praise for authenticity

The Chinese war drama “Once Upon a Time in the Middle East,” directed by Wen Muye and starring Shen Teng, is being noted for its departure from traditional Chinese cinematic tropes. Unlike previous films that use foreign locations merely as exotic backdrops for domestic stories, this film focuses on the world outside China’s borders through a narrative involving a Chinese chef navigating a fictionalized version of the American invasion of Iraq.

To achieve high levels of realism, the production utilized authentic military gear supplied by Huang Huixiong, founder of Chongqing Grey Bear Film Company. Huang provided over 500 sets of combat equipment and uniforms, emphasizing meticulous historical accuracy. The costume design process involved extensive archival research to ensure that every detail, including specific uniforms for coalition forces such as the Australian Army, was verified for authenticity.