{"asset":"news","key":"9690","locale":"en","id":"news:9690:en","entityId":"news:9690","canonicalUrl":"https://www.kps-tv.com/en/news/detail/9690","state":"ready","title":"Shen Teng is here! \"Once Upon a Time in the Middle East\" opens in Cambodian cinemas","summary":"The report says Once Upon a Time in the Middle East, directed by Wen Muye and starring Shen Teng, opened in Cambodia on October 8. It follows people struggling to survive and protect others around a Chinese restaurant during war.","body":"On October 8, the film \"Once Upon a Time in the Middle East,\" starring well-known Chinese actor Shen Teng, officially opened in cinemas in Cambodia. The film previously achieved strong box office results in mainland China, and now Chinese expatriates in Cambodia and local audiences can head to theaters to watch this popular Chinese movie.\n\"Once Upon a Time in the Middle East\" is directed by Wen Muye and executive produced by Ning Hao, starring Shen Teng, Jiang Qiming and others. The film tells the story of Chinese chef Xu Fu, who travels to a Chinese restaurant in the Middle East to support his family and pay off debts, and together with restaurant manager Ma Junsheng runs the \"Dragon Restaurant.\"\n\nAs the restaurant's business gradually picks up, an unexpected war shatters the peace. Facing the violence and a fight for survival, Xu Fu and his companions must not only find ways to stay alive but also strive to protect the civilians and children around them. Through the story of a Chinese restaurant, the film portrays the fate of ordinary people in war and conveys a theme of cherishing peace.\nThe film was released in mainland China on August 11. As of October 7, its cumulative box office had surpassed 2.356 billion yuan, temporarily placing it second on the 2026 mainland China annual box office chart, behind only \"Pegasus 3.\" On October 7, the production team also announced that the film will represent mainland China in the race for the 99th Academy Awards' Best International Feature Film.\n\nThe film has so far rolled out in markets including Hong Kong and Macao in China, as well as Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. After officially entering Cambodia on October 8, Legend Cinema has arranged screenings in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and other locations, in Mandarin with Khmer, English and Chinese subtitles.\nFor Chinese audiences living in Cambodia, this release also offers the chance to see a popular Chinese film locally. At the same time, as Chinese films continue to reach overseas markets, more Cambodian audiences can learn about Chinese stories through the big screen and experience the appeal of Chinese cinema.","contentScope":"full","proof":{"publishedSourceRevision":"4","publishedWorkingVersionId":"12594","languageVersionId":"4966","visibilityVersion":"9","versionToken":"a1.am_S2n9o0qnuZ2xFrGtroW5sqW6gK8OK7MlSPJAGuIA"},"availableLocales":["zh","en","km"],"attributes":{"sourceLocale":"zh","translationKind":"machine","nodeId":"172","authorText":"","sourceName":""},"references":[],"links":[],"publishedAt":"2026-10-08T09:42:57Z"}