Director Wen Muye says he focuses on character, not politics, in hit film

Director Wen Muye told Variety he never approaches a story by thinking about its larger social issues first. His latest film, the Chinese blockbuster 'Once Upon a Time in the Middle East,' has earned $342 million at the box office since its August 11 release.

According to Wen, the story follows Xu Fu, a chef from Shenyang played by star Shen Teng, who takes a high-paying restaurant job in the Middle East to pay off family debt. When war erupts, his primary concern is finding shelter.

Wen explained that his focus remained on the individual experience, not the epic backdrop. He said he considers only how events affect his characters personally, not how grand the setting may seem. The idea reportedly came from news stories and real accounts of Chinese cooks working in the region.

He cast comedian Shen Teng for the dramatic role because he felt the actor fit the part of a humorous, middle-aged chef from northeastern China. Wen noted that Shen's comedic talent brought a sense of ease to the film's heavier themes.

The director said he builds narratives around people, not pre-planned messages. His priority, per the interview, is simply telling the tale of the individuals involved.