Once Upon a Time in the Middle East (2026) Movie Script

1
Mr. Xu.
Mr. Xu,
what is the purpose of your visit?
I was invited by the
Chinese Business Association
to attend a reunion.
Here's the invitation.
Our records show your first
visit was in November 2002.
What was the purpose of that trip?
Work.
I was a chef at a Chinese restaurant.
Two years later,
a record appeared in your file
of suspected involvement
in a terrorist attack.
Yes.
But I was cleared of all charges.
Can you explain why a Chinese national
would have a record like that?
It's all in the file, isn't it?
What more is there to explain?
The file also states
that the attack killed
three American soldiers
and six civilians,
including a five-year-old child.
Mr. Xu,
aiding a terrorist
attack is a serious crime.
Your acquittal was
determined by the Americans.
We had no part in that investigation.
So you'd better explain yourself,
or we won't let you into this country
and will hand you over
to the security department.
In 2002,
a fire at my restaurant injured a customer.
I ended up owing tons
of money in medical bills.
Couldn't afford it.
So I had my cousin at
an overseas labor agency
find me a job-
in the Middle East.
I figured, well, it'll just be far then.
As long as there's fast
money to pay off the debt.
Lele.
How many times do I have
to call? Get out or I'm leaving.
Come on.
Departure dumplings.
Xu Le!
Can't you hear me?
What's going on with her?
What are you doing?
Sit down. I need to ask you something.
What?
When you go out there and make your money,
you won't find yourself a wife
and start a family over there
and never come back, will you?
Mom, what are you talking about?
Lele's classmate's dad did exactly that.
He's got a whole new family out there now.
Who fed her with this bullshit?
Mom, you really think I'd do that?
No.
You don't have what it takes.
Excuse me?
I don't?
No.
You don't.
But Lele believes it.
Be a nice daddy and talk to her.
Be a nice daddy?
I'll be a harsh father.
Sweetheart.
Even if I had the desire, I have no guts,
and even if I had the guts,
I don't have what it takes.
Okay?
Happy birthday.
What?
Happy birthday -
in Arabic.
Pretty good, huh?
It's three months away.
Well, I won't be here then.
You never liked the gifts I got you.
So I gave it some thought.
My girl's favorite gift
must be cash.
Get out of here.
Next year there'll be even more.
I've given it to your grandma.
Remember to ask her for it.
What do you mean?
What do you mean what do I mean?
Didn't you say you'd come back every year?
Round trip's over 30 hours in the air.
And the price is crazy.
I figured I'd just stay
two years straight -
I'd pay off the debt and
even save a little extra.
Why waste money on flights?
Then why did you promise me?
It's just one less reunion.
Just one more year, right?
What now?
Nothing.
Go. Don't miss your flight.
The price of that is crazy.
You know I'm also doing
this for you, don't you?
I know.
It's really time to go.
Cut the drama.
Justgo.
Bye, Mom.
Eat properly.
You too.
We strongly condemn
the United States' attempts to link
the Nine-Eleven attacks to our country.
Hi there.
So hot.
Chef Xu!
Chef Xu!
I'm Ma Junshen, the restaurant manager.
We emailed - you don't remember?
What took you so long?
Traffic.
They kept me at baggage check forever.
Why'd you strip down this much?
It's hot.
Hold a sec, let me go handle this.
Excuse me, officer.
Long johns.
Yarn-knit.
This Ma Junshen
was the first Chinese I met here.
He'd mined coal in Jordan,
done tours in Saudi Arabia,
hauled bags in Dubai.
Now he's the front manager at
Loong Restaurant on Haifa Street.
His biggest dream was to own a restaurant,
and then marry his foreign girlfriend.
And they call them swords?
Later,
he became my best friend.

Right this way, Chef Xu.
Come on, come on.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
Chef Xu has put together a new
dish specially for Loong Restaurant -
Loong Tide Top.
Please enjoy, sir.
While it's hot.
Are you saying this civil servant
who barely comes here
knows Chinese food?
He worked in China for three years.
His whole family loves Chinese food.
So he knows.
He knows and let the place get like this?
It's nearly dead.
Good job.
Thank you.
But a bit salty.
People here prefer sweeter flavors.
For a dish like this,
the sauce is reduced too much-
leave it a little saucier.
They don't like spicy.
These are alltoo spicy.
With allthese problems,
there's still room for improvement.
Of course there's room to improve.
Look at the pots, the stove,
the ingredients, the
seasonings-didIget to pick any of it?
Right, right.
Look, Handsome.
I just got here two hours ago.
How am I
supposed to know what you like?
Easy now.
I've been a chef for thirty years.
When it comes to authentic Chinese cooking,
I know better than you.
He says his cooking is fine -
it's authentic Chinese food.
With all due respect,
customers don't care
if it's authentic or not.
They only care if it tastes right.
It's allabout the flavor.
If customers say so,
I will adjust.
ChefXu
But I'm not making Chinatown stuff -
General Tso's Chicken,
Li Hongzhang Chop Suey
those Americanized fusion dishes.
American-style adaptations.
Those are not Chinese food.
If you make me cook those,
I'm sorry-
buy me a ticket
and I'll go home.
Comelon man
Come on, man.
Brought me here to save the
day, and now he's got an attitude?
Well, he owns the restaurant.
Isn't it.normal for him to set the tone?
Stop meddling. Translate.
Translate.
Besides owning Loong Restaurant,
Zaid had also served in the military.
Retired from service, he became
a mid-level government official.
So when he put on ars, there
was a bureaucratic edge to it.
At first, I found him pretty annoying.
But later I realized
he had his own hardships-
a daughter who was ill,
and in front of her,
he was a total pushover.
In that way, we were pretty alike.
Boss.
Come on, apologize.
Boss.
What?
Chef Xu's new here. He
doesn't know the ropes.
What now?
Xu, please.
You're right.
What those Americans put together
really can't be called Chinese food.
Awesome.
Chef Xu-
Welcome to the Loong Restaurant.
I thought you were about to
take a swing at me.
What the Americans are saying
about our country being a threat
is baseless,
and, in some cases, even ridiculous.
Americans say that we are
threatening the life of its people.
How?
Kung Pao Chicken, ready to go!
Thanks.
Hey, Junsheng.
Ready to order.
Hello, Mike. What would you like today?
We'll have this.
And
This is our new dish-Loong Tide Top.
Right, we'll get this one.
Enjoy your meal.
Manager!
Okay, okay.
Do you know how long my
family has been waiting here?
Waiter!
What kind of service is this?
A moment, please.
Let's be patient.
No need to rush.
Sorry, we have a lot of guests today.
Please form a line and wait patiently.
Thank you, everyone.
Right this way-there's a table.
Right this way.
Be patient, shall we?
Please, everyone, bear with us.
We're sorry to have kept you waiting.
A little flower for you.
Say thank you to the uncle.
Go on, say thank you.
Thank you, uncle!
You're welcome.
I'll have someone clear
the table right away.
Thanks.
Just one minute.
I will be there in one minute.
What are you all doing?
Did Zaid hire you to
sit around watching TV?
The front hall's a mess and no
one's even clearing the tables!
Get to work, all of you! Move it, move it!
Lazy bums.
...to the American interests
and the interests
of its Western allies.
Hello.
This is an onion. I asked for potatoes.
Potatoes. You understand? Idiot.
Xu, table seven wants a Boiled
Beef and a Loong Tide Top
Junshen.
Open up.
Awesome.
Service.
Breakfast.
Lunch.
Dinner.
Eat properly.
Who's there?
Who's there?
Who's there?
Who?
You again!
Getouthere.
Little chubby, still eating?
Spititout.
Run run
Keep up.
Run run.
Run, Susu.
Saif.
Wait for me.
Saif.
Wait for me.
Thieves!
Thieves!
Stop the thieves!
What's wrong, Xu?
I don't like kids.
What happens to thieves?
Especially that little rascal Saif.
War orphans, sure,
but not the least bit pitiful.
Lina's asking them what happens to thieves.
They're reciting the institution's rules.
Anyone who steals gets their hand cut off.
Both boys and girls.
That's not going to happen.
ChefXu has spoken.
No hands getting cut off.
Let's thank him.
Too soon. I want-
heads!
If anyone steals or robs again,
this is what happens to your head.
Now apologize.
Sorry
If the orphanage wasn't so short on food,
and Junshen's girlfriend
wasn'ttheir teacher,
I'd have strangled that boy by now.
Your president and his cronies
must leave this country within 48 hours.
Why did you get a foreign girlfriend?
Love knows no borders, brother.
Put it down here.
When I see Lina, I feel at ease.
That sense of security, you know?
Isn't it because you
grew up in an orphanage
and had a crush on your
caretaker when you were little,
and now you're still into that type?
I don't know what to say.
You just saw right through me.
Yikes, you sick creep.
Don't butcher my dialect.
We will be directed against the
lawless men who rule your country.
You think they'd actually go to war?
No.
I've been here four years
- it's like this every day.
Lina says it's just trash talk.
This rice stew is great
could go on the menu.
It's scraps. Not menu material.
Tastes good. That's all that matters.
What's going on?
Earthquake?
Maybe.
Shall we get down.
Let's go.
Hurry up.
Come on, come on.
Come on. Move it.
Come on.
It's a bombing!
Run!
Run!
Come on, let's go.
To the bunker.
Now.
Move.
Bro.
Let's go.
Take cover.
Bro.
You follow the crowd.
To the bunker first.
I'm going to the orphanage.
Seriously?
Orphanage?
What if something happens to Lina?
You're out of your mind.
Move.
Move.
Move.
Run.
Run.
Keep up.
Come on.
Run! What are you doing?
Run.
Run.
Don't cry, Susu.
Susu's the toughest.
Whose kid is this?
Toughest little thing.
Come on, one more time.
There you go.
Susu, my dear.
You need to lay off the food.
You're too heavy to carry.
Susu's a good girl, isn't she?
Best-behaved kid around.
Tough enough to stop crying.
Better than any kid I know.
It's okay now.
Don't be scared. It's all over.
No need to be afraid.
Susu's the best.
It's all over now.
It's all over.
This country has fallen.
Three weeks after the United States
launched an attack on this land...
Don't worry, sweetheart.
It's foreigners fighting foreigners.
What does it have to do with me?
Stop worrying.
We'll see each other at
the airport in three days.
Bye-bye.
Fifteen dollars.
Not ten?
Fifteen.
Not ten?
Fifteen.
War money, you know?
Thank you.
To hell with you.
You're not leaving?
Last evacuation - the restaurant's empty.
The orphanage burned
down, and teachers all fled.
Lina's alone with twenty-some
kids. How can I leave?
Alright.
You all take care of yourselves.
Been here less than half a year.
No debt paid.
No money earned.
At least we're fine.
What happened?
Half a month after the bombing,
everything here has fallen apart.
Roads are down, banks are in chaos.
No water, no power, no
food for ordinary people.
A lot of them have lost their homes.
But the government's done nothing for them.
Because the republic itself
is almost gone.
Then the Americans came in,
disbanded the local
government and military,
and backed the Opposition to
form a transitional government
setting them against the
Ba'athists that had been in power.
The two have been in conflict ever since.
Armed militias seized the
opportunity to grab power.
The whole country descended into chaos.
None of this had anything to do with me.
I'd saved up enough over the past
few months to buy a plane ticket.
I was about to go home.
Meals are ready.
Line up.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Having meal?
I need to have a word with you two.
No, no, no, no no.
I'm leaving tomorrow.
My daughter's waiting for me.
And with everything going up around here,
I can't stay any longer.
Just hear me out before you say no.
This area's been designated
a new Safety Zone.
There are troops stationed
here, meaning high security level.
What, you want me to cook up there?
No. Cook at the restaurant.
Deliver to the Safety Zone.
Where's the restaurant?
Our restaurant is right here.
Are you kidding me?
It's not even in the Safety Zone.
It's right next to it.
Around the Safety Zone,
it's Secured Perimeter.
The security levelmight be even higher.
We supply meals to the
Ministry of Power and Water,
and keep the restaurant
open at the same time.
Barely anyone's open
for business right now.
We might do better than ever. N
Don't leave.
I'll give you a raise.
Think about it.
RMB 30,000 yuan a month.
Salary up to 30,000. Doubled!
Doubled.
Isn't that the ministry
where he's in charge?
Yeah.
How many people work there?
A hundred and fifty-six.
Call it a hundred and fifty.
Two meals a day,
30 yuan a meal,
minus 4 for ingredients,
minus 1,000 a month for utilities
What's he doing?
Running the numbers.
His salary goes up to 20,000 a month.
Thank you, Boss!
Sorry.
You only translated that
one sentence, didn't you?
All the other staff have fled.
There are still twenty-some kids here.
Free of charge.
I brought them all here.
I did a rough estimate for you.
Your net profit per month
would be at least 300,000.
You're a cook who knows stuff.
He says you're smart.
You think you're the only
one who's ever run a business?
I used to own a restaurant, too.
Just never had your luck-
never got to profit off a war.
30,000, at the risk of my life,
isn't enough.
Then how much do you want?
Would 50,000 do it?
50,000.
You got him.
Is it a yes? I'd say yes.
I want half the shares.
I am
the boss.
Boss.
Zaid.
I know you need money for your daughter.
If we work together,
your daughter is my daughter.
Besides,
where else can you find a chef?
They've all been blown to bits.
You going to pull one out of thin air?
Focus!
He says you won't find another cook.
He wants half the shares.
Fine.
Congratulations.
You're a boss now.
No, no, no.
Now what?
Hold on.
No market is open.
Can you even get supplies?
Translate.
No food.
No water.
No potato.
No tomato.
No taro.
No everything.
How many lines did you translate
to make you so dehydrated?
Here. Let's go.
Come on.
I'm tired. Go yourself.
Tired my ass.
I'm doing a test cook today.
Who's going to translate if you don't come?
Figure it out yourself.
Go on then.
You've had a long face since yesterday.
What's going on?
You know why I agreed in
the first place to help Zaid
set up Loong Restaurant?
Why?
He promised me thatonce business picked up,
he'd give me half the shares.
I've been here four years and got nothing.
You show up for four months
and he hands it all to you.
That's what this is about?
Isn't that enough?
I thoughtwas finally going to be a boss.
Once I had the shares,
I'd have the standing to propose to Lina.
She won't marry you unless you're a boss?
What kind of girl is that?
It's not her requirement.
It's mine.
I want to be her pride.
What's wrong with that?
Yeah, four years of being
strung along with your pride.
What the hell are you laughing at?
Here's what we do.
I promised my daughter
I'd be back in two years.
When I leave, I'll sign the
shares over to you. Deal?
You promise?
How do I promise?
Sign a contract with you?
Good idea. That's legally binding.
Funny thing is-
I just happen to have
paper and a pen on me.
Go ahead and write whatever you...
Zaid sweet-talked, and
you took his word for it.
But with me, you get all legal?
No
He strung you along for four years
M and you pull a cry baby face to me?
We're from the same place.
We are.
I'm your countryman.
Right.
Let me tell you something, Junshen.
My daughter nearly cut me off
just because I stay here too long.
If this doesn't work out today,
you, me, your girlfriend,
and those little brats-
we'll all be sleeping on the street.
Bro
Okay, you don't have to go.
I'll go. I want to go.
You don't have to.
I'm going.
I'll practice my spoken Arabic anyway.
I'll come with you.
You don't have to
You're not feeling well.
You know what, you're right.
Getting the supplies for th
wedding banquet is what matters.
Then in two years, we grow the business,
and send you off properly.
That way we'll both be happy.
Yeah, right.
You'd be happy for sure if I'm gone.
I didn't mean that.
Without me, what can you do?
Zaid introduced us to a black
market dealer named Hammad.
His daughter's getting married,
but their cook got blown up.
All we have to do is pull
off the wedding banquet,
and he'll supply us with ingredients.
Loong Restaurant is one step away
from opening again.
Hold still.
Quit your yapping.
Once you put on these uniforms,
Loong Restaurant is your home.
As long as you work hard,
you'll have food to eat,
a roof over your head,
a good life ahead of you,
and a nice face from me.
I can'ttranslate that last one.
Well, your Arabic isn't good enough.
Next, next.
I didn't even use any fancy words.
Did everyone understand?
Yes, understood.
Do you have faith in it?
Yes, we have.
Can you do it?
Yes, we can.
Wallala.
Pep talks really do the trick.
Bring out the sides.
Come on. Come on.
Take it off the heat.
Iron Pot Stew, ready to go.
Come on. Come on.
Welcome to Loong Restaurant.
I want to thank everyone
for coming, during these difficult times,
to celebrate my daughter's wedding.
I also want to thank Mr. Xu Fu-
Bro.
The Chinese chef from Loong Restaurant.
Without him,
none of this breathtaking Chinese
cuisine would be here today.
He's thanking you.
Let's give him a big round of applause.
Now let us enjoy the food.
Everyone, dig in.
Iron Pot Stew from Northeast
China meets Arabic grilled fish.
Xu, you're a genius.
In just under two weeks,
you got these little
brats trained up like this.
You're not bad yourself.
Nah.
Finish our meals. Still got cleanup later.
So the work was all yours, huh?
Must've been tough on you, huh?
Come on.
Who's there?
Who is it?
I thought we had a burglar.
Get out of here.
Wasting food!
Do you know how hard it
was to get these ingredients?
Such a waste.
How'd you manage to get this taste?
How did you do it?
I saw you did it.
You even know a bit of Chinese.
Junshen taught me.
You little brat.
Pretty smart, aren't you?
You like cooking?
Yes.
Starting tomorrow, be my apprentice.
Eh?
What do you mean, "eh"?
You don't want to?
I do, I do.
Clean up before you sleep.
Such a mess.
Come on out, come on out.
This one's sliced with a knife.
This one's split by hand.
One potato, two different cuts.
Realgenius.
We used to live at the
Rashid Street orphanage,
but it got bombed.
Manager Ma and Chef Xu let us stay here
and taught us how to wait tables.
Welcome to Loong Restaurant.
Miss Lina also teaches us here.
This place is our home now.
This potato has sprouts.
You trying to poison someone?
It's toxic. You understand?
Yes.
Do it again.
Knucklehead!
One, two, three.
Mr.Ma
the water and power has been
out for two days in British Embassy.
And you still have hot soup.
Are you hurt?
It's too high for me.
And you're still trying that way?
How is that possible?
Just grab a crate and stand on it, okay?
Not many restaurants
dare to stay open right now.
Aren't you afraid?
We're a government-designated
food supplier.
We have special protection
One of our partners
is the director of the
Ministry of Water and Power.
The government set a separate line for us.
Rest assured, Eddie.
There will always be water,
power, and hot soup here.
In Loong Restaurant you
have peace and good food.
How can we let them destroy our home?
We are the people of this land.
How can we just stand
by and let this happen?
Fire, fire!
Do you know how much food you wasted?
Do you know how many
people are starving outthere?
Out there,
kids your age-
they're all starving. You hear me?
These Americans are
animals. Every last one of them.
Do you understand?
I do!
I understand better than you do!
Do you like it here?
Yes.
We get to eat whatever we want here.
When I grow up, I want
to open one just like this.
Welcome to Loong Restaurant.
Welcome to Loong Restaurant.
Welcome to Loong Restaurant.
Taking on an apprentice?
No, no, no, no.
Just an extra pair of hands.
Zaid.
That advance you asked about.
Dividend.
Thank you.
Boss,
Chef Xu heard Hana likes Chinese food
and made these dishes especially for her.
This one is wood ear
mushroom salad. Quite delicious.
And dispels cancer.
Hana
what does she like to eat?
Hana likes shrimp.
Shrimp it is next time.
Next time, shrimp it is.
Thank you, Xu.
Don't mention it, Zaid.
Come in.
Am I interrupting?
I can come back later.
No, no, no, sir.
You talk.
We go.
Goodbye.
Your listening's fine.
Speaking's another story.
You'd be useless if I speak well.
Goodbye.
For this month.
Sorry it's a few days late.
That's not enough.
Excuse me?
This is the right amount.
Fifteen thousand dollars.
That was last month's price.
What do you mean?
You're not going to eat this, are you?
You've raised the price
for three times so far.
It's not permissible to do
so every time you come in.
Sorry,
but it is.
I'm taking a lot of risks here, man.
Do you have any idea how
difficult it is to explain to Washington
whyIneed to keep purchasing
drugs for children's lymphoma?
I'm not even making a
profit off of you, okay?
I'm just doing this because I
want to help save your daughter.
There's war going on out there, man.
You can't get the stuff anywhere right now.
And if the war didn't exist,
would we have been
deprived of medicines like this?
What was that supposed to mean?
Nothing.
I would never buy from you again.
And thank you so much for your efforts.
So you're really going
to run to the British.
You know a lot of
Ba'athists are on the run.
And you're not leaving?
Why would I leave?
This is my homeland.
And to be honest,
I think that you and your people
are the ones who should leave.
Well,I heard the Opposition
started eliminating the Ba'athists.
I don't think you're on the list.
But-
you just never know, things might change.
I know that they listen to you.
But I also know that
people smuggling medicines
can be charged by military court.
And if anybody reports you, Eric,
surely,
you'll end up in prison.
Isee.
Goodbye.
Hammad is really something else.
He actually gets us liquor.
Of course he did.
Word is he moves guns too.
Not touching that, bro.
I promised Lina I'd stay off alcohol.
One clink can't hurt.
Fair enough.
Here's to good business and good fortune.
Xu, you're legend.
Prosperity.
Bro.
The kids have been
doing pretty well lately.
Not bad, I guess.
Have you thought about
bumping up their conditions a bit?
Bumping up how?
Rent them a dorm. They're
sleeping on the floor right now.
What's wrong with the floor?
Your girlfriend's got the girls
in the bedroom with actual beds.
And me? I'm the boss,
and I'm stillon the floor.
Well, the thing is-
Who's there?
Open up. We're starving outside.
The kitchen's closed.
Come back tomorrow.
Come on, man.
Just boil us some noodles or something.
Go see who that is.
Open the door. Come on.
The hell are they
making noise at this hour.
Come on, man.
Where's the food?
We're starving.
Sorry, sir.
It's past curfew. Come back tomorrow.
Who is it?
Some dumb GI Joes.
Open up.
ABC.
Three of them?
Hey, kid.
What are you staring at?
Go to sleep, Saif.
Hey.
I asked you a question, little man.
What are you staring at?
Go to sleep, Saif.
Stop.
Sir, I'm sorry.
Stop staring.
How old are you?
Picking fights with a kid? Sit down.
Why are you staring at him?
Lie down.
Close your eyes.
He's asleep. You have a seat.
Pan-fried dumplings. Eat while they're hot.
Authentic stuff, boss.
Thank you.
Can I get a fried egg?
No eggs.
A restaurant with no eggs?
You're out here shooting all day.
What hen's brave enough to lay?
Eat up and get out.
I haven't fired a single shot.
I'm on security duty.
Stationed at the Grand Mosque.
A security guard?
Who are you calling a security guard?
I am not a freaking security guard.
I'm a proper Army Private First Class.
See? First class.
First-class, awesome. Now eat.
What did he say?
The jerk called me a security guard.
You are a security guard.
Fuck you.
Whiskey?
What?
Sell me some.
That's for my own use.
All the cash.
Come on. All of it.
Come on.
I've got about...
eighty-something dollars.
And over three thousand dinars.
That's not whatI meant.
This is not for sale.
We can buy a lot of them.
What-
you just have to have it, don't you?
Go sit down. I'll pour you some.
What's your name?
Tony. Tony Wang.
Wang Tony - where are you from originally?
Born in California.
But my parents are Malaysian Chinese.
Look at that-practically family.
No booze in that base of yours?
Booze is banned in this
country. Can't buy it anywhere.
Just last week,
guys on our side fought over half a bottle.
Almost got someone killed.
Craving that bad, huh?
Yes, sir.
This is our day, bro.
Fuck it, man, come on.
Definitely.
Hammad said he could get alcohol,
but bulk orders need a government permit.
No.
Not in my restaurant.
No selling alcohol here.
Hey, I'm a partner too.
We sell to Americans.
Why turn down good money?
Dad.
Look at Mom.
Mom don't let me win.
Telling Dad won't help you.
How's Hana doing?
Still needs a few more rounds of chemo.
If that doesn't work, she'll
have to go abroad for treatment.
So you're going to need a lot of money.
Earn what needs to be earned.
Stubborn old mule.
Come get the permit tomorrow morning.
Perfect.
Go on inside.
Hana's hungry.
You promise-not a single drop to locals.
Got it.
Look what Uncle Xu brought you.
With Hammad's smuggling
line and Zaid's permit,
alcohol started flowing in steadily.
In this dry country,
no matter what price I charged,
I still could't keep up with demand.
Get the fuck out of my way.
British fuck!
Fuck!
Welcome to Loong Restaurant.
During August 2003,
we served food by day and drinks by night.
Loong Restaurant became
the only bar in town.
At first it was just American soldiers.
Then coalition troops, war correspondents,
embassy staff - they all showed up.
Americans, British, Polish, Australians-
everyone except locals.
Beer, baijiu, liquor - they drank it all.
Even cooking wine wasn't safe.
They'd drink through the night,
too wrecked to show
up for duty the next day.
The city was in total chaos back then.
Dozens of terror attacks every single day.
Car bombs, suicide bombers,
kidnappings, assassinations.
People dying outside every
day, soldiers and civilians.
But inside Loong Restaurant,
there're always lights, liquors,
people, and parties.
Fuck the war!
A bomb exploded on
the airport highway today
as the U.S. military convoy was passing.
These images show fierce fire of the
1st Infantry Division engaging insurgents.
A series of violence shows the
insurgents remain active in the region.
I made a lotof money back then.
Enough to pay off the
debt and support my family.
But I got greedy. I stayed.
Hey, boss.
Isn't this war profiteering?
War profiteering? Please.
Running a restaurant is honest work.
Would you be making this
much if there was no war?
Just eat your hotpot.
You again!
Why'd you kick him?
He touched my gun.
Why'd you leave it lying around?
He was mopping-of course he bumped it.
What if he shoots me?
It's too heavy for him to even lift.
Getting drunk and picking on kids.
Coward.
Who are you calling a coward?
You.
Who's a coward?
You.
I am an Army Private First Class.
I'm afraid of a kid?
Bravest man in the room, huh?
Fuck you.
Who was it-got drunk
and grabbed me, crying,
saying he missed home?
I miss my cat. I miss my mom.
Don't talk about my mom!
Was that you?
Fuck you, man!
It was you, wasn't it?
It's all me, man!
It's all me.
Iwas-the one who brought
all these people here
and said you had booze
so you can make money.
I asked them to come,
I can ask them to leave.
You can't even represent yourself.
Forget anyone else.
How about tell them who you are-
big baby who misses mom?
Don't talk about my mom.
Don't touch me.
Enough! Enough!
Stop it!
You lay a hand on my people again,
I'll ban you from this
place for good. Capiche?
He touched my gun.
He talked about my mom
Nobody said anything about your mom.
Sit down.
Fuck you, man.
You, back to the kitchen.
You too, kitchen.
I never said anything about his mom.
Fuck you. It's my food.
Eat your potatoes.
My food-
Those two are on the house.
Can you just eat in peace?
I've been perfectly fine.
I'm just eating, man.
You're a grown man.
Picking fights with kids?
They're not kids.
They're terrorists.
So I have more than twenty terrorists here?
That's right.
Fine. Hold your gun tight then.
I'll help you.
Hold it tight now.
Let me tell you something.
Two months ago, my best friend
was shot dead by a seven-year-old.
Shorter than him.
A boy this tall
held an AK-47 and shot him dead.
Good shit, man.
We couldn't execute him.
Had to send him to prison.
I'm fucking serious, man.
They're born terrorists.
Maybe not now.
But they will be.
How's the food here?
It's good.
Half of it was made by that kid just now.
He even made the hotpot broth base.
I think he's going to
be a great chef someday.
Things aren't always so black and white.
Eat properly.
Beats anything else.
I wanna go home.
I wanna go home.
I wanna go home.
I said just get his Chinese name on.
Who can read that long string?
If you're embroidering a
name, you do the full name.
It's a matter of respect
for this little squirt.
Besides, it's perfectly readable-
Saif Sharif Fazi Farid Kadim.
Alright, alright.
Clear as day.
For this line of-tiny squiggles,
he spent nights embroidering
that with a magnifying glass.
You should just call him Mom.
Come here.
A chef is responsible for food safety.
So potatoes with sprouts
can never happen again.
Understood?
Starting today, I'm your shifu.
The word shifu has
"fu" in it, meaning father.
So I'm basically half a dad.
Which means you respect me,
look after me,
and like me.
Got it?
Got it.
Got it my ass.
Kitchen, now.
The Soul of Chinese Cuisine.
How's that, Mom?
My supplier Hammad gave me that.
Soul?
You ran your little
restaurant into the ground.
That was then. Things are different now.
Come, look.
Zaid, my partner.
Senior official at the
Ministry of Water and Power.
Basically a deputy minister.
Doesn't look friendly.
Looks like trouble.
Don't say things like that.
People here all know a bit of Chinese.
What are you doing in broad daylight?
Little Ma-my manager.
Good boy from Guangxi.
And this is his wife, Lina.
Fiance. Hello, auntie.
Hello, hello.
Hello, auntie.
Look at her.
What a beauty. Those eyes and brows.
Alright, carry on.
You done in the bathroom?
Smooth?
This is my American buddy Tony.
Tony, the moany.
This laptop is his.
Come on, Tony.
Say hi and salute to my mom.
A Chinese boy?
A fellow countryman abroad.
Salute, come on.
Hello, ma'am.
I've got one minute left.
I need to change shifts.
Damn foreigner.
No sense of timing.
Over here, more than twenty kids.
Mom, they used to be street kids.
Now they're all waiters.
Child labor? It's illegal.
Exactly.
So scared of breaking the law,
I haven't paid them a single cent.
Got them a place to stay,
food and board included.
Come on, say hello to grandma.
Hello, grandma.
Hello, children. Hello, hello.
All in unison.
Where are you going, Saif?
Did you say hello to grandma?
Hello.
Hello. Hello.
That one there-
a bit of a difficult personality.
Took him on as my apprentice a while back.
He's already been promoted to sous chef.
Getting a little full of himself.
I'm back, Grandma.
Lele, it's your dad.
Lele! Off school?
Oh, I've missed you so much.
Come talk to Dad for a bit.
Going to do homework, Grandma.
Every time Dad calls, you do homework.
Not even a minute for your dad?
Sweetheart?
Lele?
She's still mad at you.
We paid off the debt, didn't we?
And Liu's out of the hospital.
Time home, son.
Mom.
The restaurant's packed every day now.
Leaving now would be a waste.
Big money coming in.
I see.
So you're never coming back.
Money matters more than family?
That's uncalled for.
Both matter.
Tell Lele I miss her.
From now on, let's video call once a month.
Next time, get her to
talk to me a bit more.
I'll tell her.
Gotta return the laptop, right?
Hang up then.
Alright.
You two eat properly.
You too.
You pulled a dedicated line
for Xu's Loong Restaurant,
but our own home runs on candles.
What's the point of being
director of the Ministry?
My dear-
Loong Restaurant is a
government-designated supplier.
It can't lose power.
If I pulled a line for our house too,
we'd be the only one on
the block with lights on.
What would the neighbors think?
If our daughter could shower with
hot water and read with proper light,
I couldn't care less
what the neighbors think.
Fine.
Zaid.
If the power's not back on by this weekend,
I'm taking our daughter to my parents'.
Please don't go.
What would I do without you?
Power will be back soon.
Take a bite and calm down.
Mom, Dad, stop fighting.
Sweetheart, we're not fighting.
I don't care whether
you're fighting or not.
But these shrimp should be mine.
You're right.
You little miser. I only had one bite.
Your turn.
Damn Ba'athists!
Go to hell!
Go, go, go!
Move!
Get downstairs!
Hurry, hurry!
Hurry!
We can't get through.
Hold her! Hold her tight!
Go, go, go!
Amina!
Hana!
Amina!
Amina!
Hana!
Amina!
Hana!
Amina!
Hana!
Damn you devils to hell!
Hana.
Hana.
Amina.
Amina.
Amina.
You haven't eaten in days.
Just a little.
Open up.
Open your mouth.
Come on. Open up.
I'll do it myself.
Leave me alone.
Take care.
Sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss.
After that day,
Zaid disappeared.
We couldn't find him anywhere.
Rumor had it he was dead.
Looking back now,
if he had actually died then,
it might have been better.
A car bomb exploded in the parking
lot of the Grand Mosque this afternoon,
killng three US soldiers
and sx local cvilians,
including a five-year-old child.
Authorities suspect a
targeted terrorist attack,
possibly triggered by remote device.
No group has yet claimed responsibility.
Freeze! Don't move!
Go! Go! Go!
What are you doing?
We're Chinese. We're Chinese!
What are you doing?
Shut up.
Go!
Why are you hitting him?
Go!
Come on!
Move!
Get him in the truck.
Don't move, kid.
Move! Come on!
Get in the car!
Ah, my ass!
Saif!
Damn terrorist!
Don't touch the kid!
Take him too.
You are Xu Fu?
You know this guy?
Zaid.
Our boss.
An hour after that photo was taken,
your partner Zaid
took that car to the parking
lot of the Grand Mosque
and exploded,
killing three US military personnel.
Our partner orchestrated
the terrorist attack,
and now he's on the run.
So, Mr. Xu-
what was your involvement
in this terrorist attack?
What involvement in the attack?
I haven't seen him in over a year.
We're Chinese.
What does this war have to do with us?
You have a smuggling operation.
You use his governmental pass
to dodge through the checkpoints
to bring more than just
food into your restaurant.
You know you've been helping
the terrorist get explosives.
No, sir.
He says we transported explosives.
No explosives.
I transported alcohol and food every day.
I swear I never saw any explosives.
Everyone in my restaurant can testify.
Vouch for me.
I can vouch for him.
You're all under investigation.
You can't testify.
They won't let me testify.
Until proven innocent,
you're gonna spend some time
in Alifa Prison with your little pal.
Please don't, sir.
We'll be locked up until
we're proven innocent.
No, no, no.
Tony!
Let him ask Tony.
Yes! Tony!
Chinese American, the private!
He can prove we are good people, sir.
Tony Wang?
Yeah! Yes!
All right, George, all right.
Slow down, slow down.
He likes cats, right?
Take it easy, take it easy.
Yeah, yes!
We're good friends.
Wang, Tony.
Checkpoint Two. Checkpoint Two.
What happened at the
parking lot? Are you there?
Three one, check point two.
I'm just taking a piss.
Will be right there.
How'd it go?
Did dropping Tony's name work?
Stop!
Stop honking!
Sir.
This car's in the way.
Prayer's already started
Where were you?
I took a piss?
Get this car move. We
need to get to prayer.
Stop honking.
Move the car now.
I have children in the back. Don't shoot.
Iunderstand.
I understand, but the situation here
What?
Shit.
Something's the matter, private?
Nothing's the matter, sir.
Just a vehicle that's empty
right now blocking traffic.
Well, do something about
it. I gotta get out of here.
Yes, sir. Understood.
Thirty-One, it's a checkpoint two here.
Are you in the mosque?
Checkpoint Two, Three
One. Yeah, I'm in the mosque.
Got a vehicle here with plate number 101A2.
Repeat.
Checkpoint two, you're cutting out
Say again.
Checkpoint two,
do you need to find the driver?
He was one of the American
soldiers killed in that blast today.
H
He's on his way home,
wrapped up in an American flag.
Mr.Xu.
Your partner was the perpetrator.
Your friend was the victim.
You really think you got
nothing to do with this war?
April 2025.
We were taken to Alifah
Prison in Dilah Governorate.
It used to belong to the former government.
Later taken over by the Americans
and turned into the largest
military prison in the region.
Before allthis, I only cared about money.
After that-
all I wanted was to go home.
Saif.
But before the conclution
of the investigation,
all we could do was wait.
So-
that's how you ended up with a
record of aiding a terrorist attack.
Mr. Xu,
how did you get that scar on your face?
Gunshot.
How?
GeneralTso's Chicken
Crab Rangoon.
Chop Suey.
Hot and Sour Soup.
Just for you, Colonel Pete.
And this-
Xu Fu Hamburger.
China-
America-
together.
Very yummy.
Thank you. Looks delicious.
What can I do for you?
We want to call home.
Just sit tight and keep
your shirt on, Mr. Xu.
We're still waiting on the
results of your investigation.
Not yet.
Sir.
My mother, my daughter
can't find me.
I'm sorry, but it would
be against protocol.
What kind of protocal is
against making phone calls?
Saif.
These American dogs are just bullies.
What did he say?
Nothing.
He never planned to let us go.
Sorry, sir.
I'm sorry.
Alright, Xu.
You can go now.
Okay, sir.
Bon appetit.
Thank you, Joel Sir.
No problem, Xu.
They never notified the embassy,
or our families.
No one knew we were locked up in here.
For the past six months,
we'd been assigned to work in the kitchen-
cooking Chinese food for the officers,
and doing one other
thing they required of us.
Morgan Sir.
Chili water.
Aren't you forgetting something?
My food.
Hamburger.
Want to come in and watch a show?
No, no, no.
Sorry, sir.
Thank you, sir.
Bye-bye, sir. Goodbye, sir.
Ali is a well-known local warlord.
Rumored to be extreme in his methods,
he was accepted by no faction.
He ran a school training warriors.
Hence the codename "Headmaster.'
Alright, Headmaster.
"The Engineer" and some of your cronies
accomplished a lot lately.
Why don't you tell me where they're hiding,
and where exactly your school is?
They are-
in our homeland.
Of course they are.
You know,
most of the boys stationed here-
say they are itching to get back home.
But not me.
Open up.
Watching him get tortured like that,
I actually felt sorry for him.
I even helped him.
My dear Chinese friend,
thank you for easing my pain.
This gold tooth is a small
token of my gratitude.
Thank you.
Making fake chili water isn't hard.
Didn't take much.
The real trick was your acting.
Have you thought any more
about what we discussed?
I still think Saif should come with me.
He should learn how to fight.
But, Mr. Headmasrter,
we're still technically
employees of the U.S. military.
We're really busy.
Don't try to scare us with the Americans.
If you want to be their
dogs, that's your business.
But did you ever ask him what he wants?
Who are you calling a dog, you little punk?
Your Headmaster's life
was saved by three dogs.
So what that makes your Headmaster?
What did you say?
I said you called your own
Headmaster lower than a dog.
You're dead.
Jamal!
Hey! What's going on? Keep it down!
Sorry, David Sir.
No fight. Sorry.
Keep it down.
Okay.
Headmaster,
let's leave it at that with the kid.
We were wrongly detained.
We'll be out soon.
No problem.
After all, he is your apprentice.
Thank you.
Let's go.
Go.
Saif Kadim.
You were not born to be a cook.
You are a warrior.
Sure.
Be a good cook first.
Say goodbye to the Headmaster.
Stop looking.
Headmaster,
letter from the Engineer.
Saif Kadim.
Every Friday night at ten,
after Morgan finishes with
his victims, he goes to shower.
Those who clean the bathroom all
have to work overtime for that bastard.
What are you trash looking at?
But that gives us an opening.
Hello, Jamal Farouk.
Did you bring it?
Next time I'll volunteer to clean.
Rub the chili on his underwear
while he's in the shower.
Guaranteed to keep him in bed for two days.
If my shifu finds out-
he's going to be mad.
Who cares?
The Headmaster says when
we pick up a gun, we're soldiers.
Put it down,
and we're just cannon fodder.
I don't want to be cannon fodder.
Suit yourself.
But chili-
does that even count as a weapon?
One day we'll have real guns.
Sir.
Got half an hour before you're off duty?
Yes, sir.
Just take off early.
I'll watch him for you.
Sir?
Go. Get out of here.
Yes, sir.
How's it going in here, Chef?
Oh, sir.
Big man come.
Your boss partying.
I'm cooking.
Where's your little lady and son at?
Serving.
Did you do it?
What?
Drop the act.
Bathroom cleaning scums won't admit it.
But you're the only one in
this prison with chili peppers.
Just tell me now,
who did you give the pepper to?
Pardon?
If you don't tell me now,
I'm gonna assume that
you're the one behind this.
Sir, sir.
Still nothing to say?
No, no, no, sir.
No, no, no.
Don't waste food.
Don't waste food.
It's food.
Don't.
Not good.
Very very bad.
You little chick.
Who do you think you are?
Come on, bro. They're waiting.
Get of me!
Fugg it!
Shifu!
Get off me, damn it!
I'll kill you sons of bitches!
Saif!
I'll kill you!
Saif!
Put the knife down!
You touch him and you're not getting out.
You hear me?
You rascal!
Put the damn knife down!
Saif.
Don't do this.
Don't kill anyone.
Saif. Don't.
Does rice being simple
mean you can just phone it in?
How many times have I said it-
Vegetables are also
water, so go easy on water.
This is practically porridge.
What's wrong with your head?
Think it's funny?
Don't you feel guilty?
All because of you-
rubbing chili on the underwear.
Making Chili Chicken, were you?
Chili Chicken?
That's not a dish. No need to learn.
Apologize. Now.
I'm sorry, Shifu.
I was wrong.
Alright.
You're forgiven.
You were led astray after all, right?
Kid.
If that knife hadn't been chained down-
you would've killed someone. You know that?
But he hit you.
If he ever hits you again,
I'll kill him.
Good afternoon.
How are you doing?
I'm fine, thank you.
And you?
I'm doing just fine.
I had a talk with Morgan myself.
He won't give you any more trouble.
Gotta feel for the guy.
He lost his whole family in
the attacks on Nine-Eleven,
so he despises the terrorists.
He said Morgan's family-
I got it.
We are not
terrorists.
I know that.
The investigation has been completed.
The CFLCC has dropped all the charges.
Congratulations.
You're free.
Free?
We're free!
As soon as I sign the release papers.
Sign now, please.
Hold your horses.
It's almost Christmas.
I've invited everybody
here for a big dinner
and I'd like you to be the chef.
He says not yet.
He wants you to cook for
their Christmas Eve dinner.
That's still over half a month away.
Yeah.
We want to go home early. Sorry about that.
Christmas is two weeks away.
We want to go home soon.
We don't need this, so..
Maybe I'll head back to
the capital for Christmas.
Then I gotta stop by the
headquarters to file my year-end reports.
If you're not up for it,
I'll be back to sign for
you as early as February.
How's that?
No, please don't, sir.
What did he say?
He said three more
months to wait if we say no.
Let's do it, bro. I miss my wife.
Okay.
But-
we want to call home.
One minute.
Hello?
Who is this?
It's me, Mom.
Fu?
Your son.
Son?
It's me, Mom.
Xu Fu!
Care to call home now?
Do you have any idea-not
a word for over half a year,
how desperately we've been worrying?
Mom, I got a situation.
Couldn't call.
It's fine. I'll be home soon.
You scared us half to death.
Sorry for worrying you.
Hold on-
Lele!
Lele, come here!
It's your dad! Come on!
Dad.
Did you miss me, Lele?
Still mad at me?
Am I freaking mad?
I thought you were dead!
Where did you go, Dad?
Do you know how many people me
and Grandma asked to look for you?
Nothing here, nothing there-
I thought you were dead!
I'm so sorry, sweetheart.
I got a situation.
I'll be home in a few days.
About two weeks or so.
What kind of trouble makes
you unable to even call?
Dad,
are you trying to get rid of me?
Don't be silly.
How could I get rid of you?
Time's up.
You promised two years.
Give me half a month.
Another half a month?
I'm telling you, Xu Fu-
I only got one minute.
Gotta hang up soon.
Come on, Junsheng.
I'm okay.
I found out later-
after we were arrested
Loong Restaurant was shut down.
Lina had to take the
kids to a new orphanage.
She never stopped looking forJunsheng.
Never gave up.
Even though no one ever picked up,
at the time, we felt okay
because we were going home soon.
One, two, three-
Spicy Lobster is ready to go!
Spicy Lobster is ready to go!
Hey, dude.
Could you grab that for me?
Yes. Right here. Come on.
God damn it.
Awesome!
Come on, give this dude a flip.
Give it a flip.
Dongbei Greasy Lamb, ready to go!
Scorpion Christmas Tree is ready to go!
Dumpling ready to go!
You want me, sir?
Everybody, everyone!
This is the Chinese chef
I was telling you about.
Mr. Xu Fu.
Awesome!
Tonight's breathtaking Chinese
dishes are all his creation!
Big Plate Chicken ready to go!
Ladies and gentlemen-
Merry Christmas!
Here's to winning this damn
war and returning to our families!
Merry Christmas!
Now that's what I call Christmas, damn it!
Xu Fu Hamburger
ready to go!
Where's that phycho son of yours?
Working.
He's badass.
Almost killed me.
We kill animal,
not people.
They will
sooner or later.
I've seen plenty of kids like this.
They're born terrorists.
You see terrorists everywhere you look.
Who opened the box of
terrorists to begin with?
What'd you say?
Your boss
signed the paper.
We're free.
I introduce myself again.
We are chefs.
Not terrorists.
Okay?
Good luck, Chef.
Thank you.
Nice English by the way.
Thank God you're leaving.
I've been breathing in this
goddamn grease fire smoke forever.
I'm getting black lung over here.
If you got black lung, it's
from those cigarettes, not me.
What am I? Frying chicken on your face?
Yeah, what is he? Frying
chicken on your face?
Okay, piss off. Get out of here.
No, you piss off.
You want to get rid of
me, go talk to the colonel.
He loves this stuff.
You think I like making it?
Yeah. We don't like cooking for you guys.
Hey, Ma. Can I have your Kung
Pao Chicken recipe when you leave?
Sure, Reynold. My boss agreed.
When you have time, come
and visit the Loong Restaurant.
Everything's on the house.
Be safe, man.
But when you come, I'll make
you purchase like normal partner.
Yeah! Pay double!
Who wants to eat your garbage food anyway?
I wouldn't eat if you paid me.
Whatever, bitch.
Come on, man. He's just joking.
Bye, bitch.
Get out of the way.
Bye-bye, bitch.
Come on, have a drink to cool down.
Almost slipped up there.
Serious, bro?
I'm serious, bro.
My wife said no alcohol, so no alcohol.
I've got very tiny guts.
You've got tiny guts?
Ma Junsheng.
You have the biggest guts
I have ever met in my life.
Think about it yourself.
Who have you ever been afraid of?
Right, just your wife.
I'm a little afraid of you too.
You won't any more when we're free.
Loong Restaurant will be yours then.
Congratulations.
No alcohol, but yes for cigarettes, right?
Yeah.
Come on then-
clean up and come smoke with me.
Boss Ma.
Boss Ma.
Pay up, bitch.
What? You got a straight every
single time? You're cheating.
You got cards in your jacket.
Fuck you. I don't need to hide
anything to beat you dumbasses.
They're in your pants? Take off your pants.
You guys are sick. You want a strip
tease? Go home and ask your mother.
They're in his pants!
I saw him hide them.
Make him take 'em off.
Come on, David, what are you doing?
You can't even see shit from over there.
I got these big-ass lights, son.
Take 'em off.
Even after years abroad,
my English was still terrible.
To this day, I can barely
remember any words.
But there's one phrase I still remember-
'Blue on blue.'
It means-
friendly fire.
No cards.
Nothing but my ass.
You bunch of sick freaks.
Blue on blue!
Blue on blue!
Blue on blue!
I found out later-
the first wave of attackers
that night weren't friendly.
It was terrorists who had
infiltrated in American uniforms.
Charge!
Xu!
Shifu!
Xu!
Shifu!
Xu!
Shifu!
You okay, bro?
You okay?
What's going on?
Someone's broken in.
The prison's in riot.
We can't stay.
Let's go:
Saif!
Go!
Don't shoot!
We work for the U.S. military-
Don't shoot!
We're staff. Don't shoot!
Charge!
Go!
For victory!
Saif!
Saif!
Junsheng!
Junsheng!
Saif!
Over here, bro.
Saif!
No response.
Saif!
Saif!
No response, bro.
Saif!
Still alive.
F
Joe.
Joe sir.
It's me.
Xu Fu. Your friend.
Xu?
Yes.
Oh, it's you.
Chinese.
Zaid?
Engineer.
These must be the Chinese
chefs the Headmaster wanted.
They claim to be U.S. military employees.
Take them.
Yes, sir.
Boss!
Boss!
Boss! Don't...
Don'tmove.
Cowards.
Where are we?
The school of the Headmaster's.
You'll be cooking here from now on.
That was no school.
A child soldier training camp, right?
There were reportedly
many such places back then.
Most of the children inside were
war orphans with nowhere to go.
The homeland has chosen us.
No flinching!
Are you a coward, Younis?
Some children were even
sent in by their own parents.
For theterrorists, children
were easier to control.
For the children-
at least they wouldn't starve.
Spread your legs.
Spread them.
They were trained here to
become instruments of war.
Simply put-wherever there is war,
there are places like this.
If Ali's school was
really what you described
that would be better.
He said the schoolwas
nothing like what we described.
Make it quick.
Got it.
Welcome.
Take your pick.
Sir.
These potatoes have all sprouted.
A fresh batch just came in this morning.
Want to take a look?
Sure.
Over here.
Account number confirmed.
Your password, please.
Okay.
Password confirmed.
Ten days, Mr. Xu.
Okay.
Quickly, please.
The bank says the money will
be in your account in ten days.
All right.
This is the drainage
tunnel map for Khubazabad.
You'll climb over the west
wall of the school at night
and enter through the
tunnel entrance across the way.
It took us over six months
to find a smuggler willing to help us.
Khubazabad is full of
checkpoints and patrols,
nd there's nothing but desert and wasteland
for hundreds of kilometers outside.
Getting out is extremely difficult.
This nearly wiped out all my savings.
But I think it's worth it
because if we stay any longer,
we may never make it back.
I'll hide the car in a brick
kiln near the tunnel exit.
Drive west along the back road-
half a day and you'll cross the border.
I'll have the car ready in fourteen days.
Why so long?
Without a car, you won't get far.
So the car won't be ready
until the money clears.
Besides, fourteen days from now is Jumu'ah-
security will go easy on you.
Beat him up!
Filthy cook.
That'll teach you to watch when you walk.
Get him!
Told you he never watches.
Look at the cook with his
eye patch, thinks he's a pirate.
Who did that?
Didn't I say don't mess with him?
Sorry, Jamal.
You got a death wish, Younis?
I'm sorry.
Get lost.
You okay?
I'm very pleased with how
you've all been training.
I've decided to regularly pick
children to become warriors.
They'll be sent to the
front to fight the invaders.
Today I'll choose the first one.
The bravest one among you.
The test is-
to kill this American dog.
I'll kill you son of bitches.
Stop gawking. Get back to work.
Who's brave enough?
Anyone?
Is there nobody?
Saif, when you're done with
the potatoes, do some onions too.
Saif.
Nobody's brave enough?
Who's got the guts?
Anyone?
I'll do it.
Brave kid.
Take this.
I know you.
You're little shit who
cleaned the bathroom.
Son.
Your parents were killed by the Americans.
Avenge them.
Finish him.
Cheer for our brave warrior.
Jamal!
Really want to get yourself killed?
No.
Then why'd you volunteer?
I sucked it up and begged Ali
to keep you out of this.
And you went and raised your hand yourself.
I'm sick of being pushed around.
Treated like I'm nothing.
You think going to the front
makes you something?
Don't move!
You half-blind idiot.
You can barely hold a ladle
and you want to hold a gun?
I'm telling you-
the way you are, if you go to the front,
you'll be even less than nothing.
You'll just be cannon fodder..
None of your business.
You're not my father.
Brave kid,
today you have been
chosen to fight the invaders.
You will be my pride
and the pride of us all.
For victory.
Goodbye, Jamal.
Goodbye, fellows.
Goodbye, friends.
Goodbye.
Can't find him anywhere.
The junkyard?
Not there either.
Get out of the car.
See that line back there?
Get in line and get into the city.
Someone will be waiting for you inside.
Give him this bag.
That's your first mission.
I'll wait here for you.
What does he look like?
Don't worry - he'll know you.
Scared?
No.
Then go.
Yes, sir.
Go on.
Okay, kid, go.
Put the bag on the ground.
Walk backwards towards me.
Let's go. Let's go.
Hey.
Keep moving.
Why aren't you moving?
You deaf? You're holding up the whole line.
Hey, kid.
Hey, kid, what are you doing?
Hey, kid, look at me.
Hey, I'm talking to you, kid.
What's in the bag?
Oh, shit! Don't move!
Put the bag on the ground.
Put it on the ground.
Slowly, put the bag down.
Okay, now put your hands in the air
No remote in his hand, so move in.
Move in!
Don't move.
Stay right there.
Don't move.
What is it?
I don't know.
Look at me.
What's in the bag?
I really don't know.
Don't move, kid.
What's in the bag?
I don't want to be cannon fodder..
Suit yourself.
Jamal fought with real courage out there.
His first day's record
beat out a lot of veterans.
Let's cheer for him.
Jamal!
Time to choose a new warrior.
Who's up?
Me!
Put it down!
Gotta be me this time.
Me.
Take them with us.
The car won't fit.
And too risky.
Leave them and they will all die.
They're not your kids.
They're still kids.
Cheer for our new warrior.
Younis!
Saif.
Get me an egg.
I've seen a lot of kids like you.
Some of them lost their
parents at a young age,
wandering the streets like stray dogs.
Feast before you head out.
Saif.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Goodbye, everyone.
See you on the battlefield.
Goodbye.
Until we meet again.
Some of them had never had a full meal.
Hey, cook.
Can I get another flatbread?
I'm still hungry.
Sure.
Thank you.
For the sake of a meal,
they choose to take up
arms and become warriors,
so that more children can escape hunger.
Some are girls who've been
overlooked their whole lives,
girls whose dreams have
never mattered to anyone.
Does the new headscarf look nice?
It looks great.
What do you think, uncle?
Very nice.
Thank you.
But once they pick us their arms,
everything changes.
I'll be here waiting for you.
Goodbye, Maya. Goodbye.
Goodbye, Khaleda.
We'll meet on the battlefield.
I will find you.
I was once lost, just like all of you.
Not until I earned honor on the battlefield
did I finally know this is where I belong.
My children,
you have been chosen.
Remember what your headmaster's told you.
You will be seen-
be remembered-
and be loved.
I have a sad announcement.
A few days ago, our leader
was killed in a cowardly
sneak attack by the Americans.
We
will have our revenge.
I need more young warriors at the front.
Are you willing to?
I am.
Me too.
I am.
Bless you all.
In two days, all of you go to the front.
For victory.
For victory!
I can't take this anymore.
Let's get a bigger car from the smuggler
so that we can ship them all out.
I'll pay you back the
extra once we're out, okay?
It's not about the money.
We don't leave for another week.
They're leaving the day after tomorrow.
Tell me-can we leave earlier,
or can they leave later?
There's no time, Junsheng.
Shifu.
Yeah?
We're running short on eggs.
Okay.
No point keeping the
beef frozen for the holiday.
Tomorrow, let's make potato
and beef stew for the kids.
Give them a proper meal before they go.
I'll handle the prep. That okay?
Okay.
Take a break, Chef Saif.
It's fine. Clean up later. Come here.
Where'd you get this?
None of your business.
Once we're out,
let's crack this open to celebrate
without your shifu-
not a single drop for him.
Let him suffer.
Miss Lina said
thieves get their hands cut off.
You're too old to still believe her bluff.
Your shifu said he'd cut your
head off and you didn't believe that.
Ridiculous.
Thanks.
For what-a can of drink?
Not for that.
For always trying to save them.
Shifu never wants to.
He does.
Of course he does. Just
never got the chance.
You get that?
I get it.
You get it my ass.
You little squirt.
Who is it?
Just a sec.
Headmaster.
What's going on, Headmaster?
What did you feed my children?
Nearly all of them have upset stomachs.
Upset stomachs?
Are they all right, Headmaster?
Mild food poisoning.
Doctor says at least five days' rest.
That can't be right.
We made it the same way we always do.
How could anyone get food poisoning?
Headmaster, the food was-
I swore to Allah that I would send
every child to the front tomorrow.
You made me break my oath.
Kneel.
Headmaster
Don't
You have to pay for this.
Kneel.
Don't
Kneel!
Headmaster.
May Allah forgive you.
Wait!
Wait, Headmaster.
Omar, Mohammed-
aren't we friends?
Let me explain things to Headmaster.
Please. Thank you.
Thank you.
Headmaster,
we had good intentions.
The kids were leaving soon,
so we made potato and
beef stew specially for them.
But the potatoes are bad.
All sprouted.
I probably didn't clean well
enough when I was prepping.
Hold on.
You're saying it was your fault
for not cleaning them properly?
Yes, Headmaster.
I swear it won't happen again.
So this is your responsibility.
It's you who made me break my oath?
It has nothing to do with him.
Right?
Right?
Shit, he didn't buy it.
I put the sprouts in on purpose-
to buy us some time.
Sorry for the mess.
Eat properly, little squirt.
Eat properly.
That's right.
It was me.
Once the other kids recover,
your apprentice leaves with them.
Objection?
Objection?
Clean up the blood.
Chef Xu.
I'm Ma Junsheng, the restaurant manager.
We emailed before. Don't you remember?
Stop. It won't come off.
Saif.
In a bit,
we cook congee for breakfast,
fried rice for lunch,
and spinach soup,
flatbread for dinner.
The kids need their
energy back from diarrhea.
Once they do,
they can run with us.
You need to tell them
what it really means to be a warrior.
I'm going to the market
for groceries.
Three thousand dollars.
Two thousand.
That's all I've got.
Not enough.
What about this?
Why do you need a van?
Those who break their oaths go to hell.
What I'm about to tell you-
you have to swear not to breathe a word.
What happened?
Something serious.
It's life or death for all of us.
I won't put you in danger.
Trust me.
I swear.
I swear.
I swear.
Twenty-three want to go.
Less than half.
That few?
They trust Ali more.
All right.
Tell the ones who want to leave-
Friday, 3 in the morning,
we move out.
Thirteen.
Fourteen.
Fifteen.
Sixteen.
Come on.
Seventeen.
Eighteen.
Nineteen.
Careful.
Twenty.
Hurry, hurry.
Twenty-one.
Twenty-two.
Twenty-three.
That's everyone.
Time to go.
Move, move!
Stay close.
No stop!
Get up!
Move, move.
Got it.
Two hours later,
the bus broke down.
Afraid of being followed,
we had to head west on foot
through the mountain trails.
We made it across the
border just before dark
and reached a small village
in the neighboring country.
I can't recall its name.
I only remember there
was an abandoned mosque
and a very large tree.
Alright. See you tomorrow.
Thank you.
Goodbye.
The police said they'd pick
us up tomorrow at noon.
Ask her if she has any food.
Excuse me, do you have any food?
Or some cookware and utensils would do.
We can go around the
village and ask for ingredients
and cook for ourselves.
Please.
Smells great.
What is this?
Rice stew.
That's right. Rice stew.
What are your plans when you get back?
Look for Miss Lina and Susu.
What about you?
I gotta go home.
My daughter and my mom are waiting for me.
Will you come back?
Yes.
You think crossing the
border means you're safe?
Allah's servants are everywhere.
Bring my kids back to me.
We don't need the cook anymore.
Not bad, given the conditions.
Classic of you.
But still a bit too salty.
You don't know the ingredients
and spices around here.
You just cooked the way you always do,
so of course it didn't taste right.
Don't believe me?
Try it again.
Open up.
Open up.
Open up.
See?
Xu.
You really should've stayed out of this.
They're not your kids.
Still kids.
Sir.
We've spotted border patrol nearby.
Time for you to go.
Run, Shifu!
It's okay, kid.
It's okay.
Shifu!
Shifu!
Leave it to me.
Open up.
Open up.
I don't think Zaid knew either
if I was gonna make it.
But the doctor told me later
that if I hadn't opened my mouth,
I would've been dead.
My own teeth would've
blown straight into my brain.
He did let me go.
And he taught me something.
A spoon can open up a mouth,
so can a gun.
After that, I never went far again.
I stayed home,
cooking for my mom and my daughter.
I think in this world,
nothing matters more than eating properly
and raising kids properly.
Sometimes I have this dream.
In the dream,
Junsheng and Saif survived.
They came back to Loong Restaurant.
Twenty years have gone by,
and I still have that dream.
But it's just a dream.
There are no lucky breaks in war.
Me being alive-that's
already the lucky break.
Right?
An email from the security bureau-
says we can let him go.
Any more questions?
No.
That's it.
You're free to go.
We can go.
Okay.
I'll take this.
Mr. Xu-
your passport.
Welcome.
Thank you.
This is Day 3 of our tour.
Today's a bit more relaxed.
We'll be heading to the
heart of the old city shortly.
Once we're there, please do
not wander off on your own.
There are government buildings inside.
The guards are all armed.
After that, we'll head
to the National Museum.
Should take about two hours.
Tonight we'll have dinner at
the Chinese Business Association.
Just a reminder-
safety first, okay?
Follow the guide at all times.
Whatever you want, just tell me.
Can you pull over, please?
Can you pull over, please?
Welcome to Loong Restaurant.
Are you Chinese?
Has this restaurant always been here?
We've moved a few times.
Please, have a seat.
What can I get you?
This is-
It has meat,
vegetables, rice.
No, I mean-
why is it called that?
Because-
You can speak Arabic. I can understand.
Oh, okay.
Well,
over twenty years ago,
there was a Chinese chef
who rescued over twenty
kids from the terrorists.
They fled across the border together,
but got caught anyway.
This was the last dish he made
for the kids before he was killed.
Later, to remember him,
the kids named it after him.
Wait-are you saying
those kids survived?
Of course.
Otherwise how would the dish even exist?
Thanks to the Chinese chef getting
the children across the border,
the border patrol had a
chance to stop the terrorists.
The fighting was brutal.
In the end the terrorists were wiped out
and the kids were saved.
There's also a rumor
that one of the kids rescued back then
is now the owner and head chef here.
Who knows?
It was so long ago.
Sir,
would you like to order this?
I'll have one.
Anything else?
No, thanks.
You're welcome.
Smells great.
What is this?
Rice stew.
Rice stew. It tastes great.
Would you come back?
Yes.
Hey, bro.
Come sit with us.
Why are you eating by yourself?
Xu!Xu!
Come on.
Xu!
Ask him.
Xu!
What are you staring at? Eat.
Eat!
How do you even toss a
wok on a Western stove?
It's all clang clang clang,
sounds like a moving train, doesn't it?