★★★★★
Once Upon a Time in the Middle East is a historical drama inspired by war, grief, and loss. While the narrative is fictional, the story is indeed inspired by real events, offering an insightful look at the effects the Iraq War had on civilians and those living within the country when the war broke out.
Co-written by Qunli Lang, Muye Wen, and Wei Zhong, the film follows a Chinese chef who moves to Iraq right before the war breaks out for a job as the head chef at a high-end Chinese restaurant in the Middle East.
Following the outbreak of the war, he stays and operates the restaurant in one of the military-occupied Green Zones, serving food to the soldiers and those within the Green Zone while helping house orphans, giving them a place to live, food to eat, and a place to call home.
The decision to craft the script as a narrative told completely through flashbacks, with only the opening and closing of the film taking place in real time, is something that usually hinders a film’s emotional stakes. It often takes me out of the story because, going in, you know that no matter what happens, the story starts in the present.
Offering the ever-lingering thoughts of how this leads to that and how it allows him to end up here. A never-ending cycle of hows and what-ifs that comes with opening a film in the present, with a story being relived from twenty-some years ago.
However, when a director is able to craft a film with such engagement that one is completely absorbed by the film, without a moment to ask these questions, that’s an achievement in itself.
Wen takes the brilliantly crafted, character-driven narrative that he and his co-writers created and brings that vision to life flawlessly.
”Wen takes the brilliantly crafted, character-driven narrative that he and his co-writers created and brings that vision to life flawlessly.”
At the center of this film is a chef who is a father, a son, a business partner, but he’s also human.
His decision to go to the Middle East to begin with was because he was drowning in debt after his restaurant caught fire. Leaving his daughter to live with his mother was as selfless as it was selfish.
Every moment thereafter offers a complex combination of two very real human emotions: greed and ambition. He’s riding the high of the economic boom from the war, allowing his greed to cloud his judgment.
Wen’s direction is crisp, clear, and consistent. The balance between visual storytelling and character-driven narrative is spectacular, with perfect pacing and a keen sense of tonal balance.
His ability to switch from deep and emotionally heavy subject matter to lighter but important character moments, while still feeling balanced, is astonishing.
”His ability to switch from deep and emotionally heavy subject matter to lighter but important character moments, while still feeling balanced, is astonishing.”
His crisp vision is showcased through every aspect of the film. Boxue Wang’s cinematography is a perfect example of this. It’s tight, crisp, and engaging, utilizing cinematography to create emotional highlights throughout the film.
From the opening scene, the cinematography is intense. The crisp, prolonged shot slowly pans over and shows the aftermath of the chaos, with a slow and steady movement that is dense in the best possible way.
The cooking sequences are always shot with such care and are visually stunning, capturing the essence and importance of food and the craft of being a chef within the story while simultaneously being visually indulgent.
When the city is attacked right before the war starts, it’s another example of emotionally driven cinematography. Except in these scenes, it’s not as visually pleasing. It’s quite the opposite.
The shots are well-framed and capture the events in a light of despair, creating this monotone atmosphere that feels dry and creates a different type of emotional transparency. One that is different from what most films try to craft during scenes like this one.
Offering an original take on a familiar sequence that captures the moments with an uncertain emotion.
Paired with an astonishing score by Chao Huang, the cinematography elevates the film at every turn. From the fantastic musical overlay during the cooking montage at the beginning of the film, which accompanies the visuals perfectly, to the moment when he is leaving for the airport to go to the Middle East.
The score that accompanies his departure from his house is truly emotionally elevating, paired with the shot of his daughter looking out of her window.
To the bombing scene, where it accompanies the visuals without ever overstepping or trying to become prominent.
The editing is sharp when needed, allowing for a smooth and consistent pace, and slow and lingering when a scene calls for prolonged emotional buildup.
Showcasing the brilliance of Wen’s singular vision, formed through clear direction and excellent execution from his team.
Topped off with flawless and powerful performances from the entire cast.
There wasn’t a weak performance in the film. From the leads, who completely embraced and embodied their characters, to the supporting cast of young children who play the orphans.
Teng Shen’s performance stands out for its versatility and range. Appearing in almost every scene of the film, he delivers a flawless performance.
Aarif Lee deserves recognition for his role as Tony, a soldier who is stationed in Iraq during the war and befriends Xu at the restaurant.
His performance not only shows great range, but it also demonstrates the hindering effects that war and violence have on soldiers on the front lines.
”A spectacle that shouldn’t be missed.”
Once Upon a Time in the Middle East is a spectacular film that captures the hindering effects of war on civilians caught in the crossfire.
Offering a realistic look at the hindering effects war and destruction have on those directly affected and how it fuels future conflicts.
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