A Chinese production titled “Once Upon a Time in the Middle East” depicts the Iraq war through the eyes of Chinese citizens [1].
The film serves as a strategic tool for Beijing to project its international image and promote its specific worldview as part of a broader soft-power initiative [1, 2].
The narrative follows the experiences of Xu Fu, a Chinese chef, who finds himself in the middle of the conflict [1]. By centering the story on a non-combatant civilian, the filmmakers present a perspective on the geopolitical instability of the region that differs from Western cinematic portrayals of the same era.
The plot is set in the 2000s [1] during the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The film focuses on the human cost of the war and the experiences of those caught in the crossfire of foreign intervention [1].
Filmmakers used the historical setting to align the story with current diplomatic goals. By highlighting the chaos caused by the invasion, the production aims to position China as a more stable or neutral alternative in global affairs [1, 2].
This cinematic approach is part of a larger effort by the Chinese government to increase its cultural influence abroad [2]. Through the export of media and storytelling, Beijing seeks to shape how international audiences perceive its role in global governance, and its relationship with the Middle East [1, 2].
“The film serves as a strategic tool for Beijing to project its international image.”
The release of this film indicates a shift in Chinese soft-power strategy, moving from purely domestic cultural exports to narratives that actively critique U.S. foreign policy. By utilizing a historical conflict like the Iraq war, Beijing is attempting to build a narrative of moral authority and stability to appeal to nations in the Global South.
