Shared value

"There is a line in the movie that goes, 'My fate is determined by my own hands, not by heaven'," said Ou Boqian, China's consul-general in Dubai. "This perfectly embodies the Chinese spirit — a refusal to submit to fate — and it's a value the UAE shares. I hope the film will spark broader interests in Chinese culture."

Distributed by Dubai-based PBA Entertainment and backed by Chinese embassies, consulates and cultural centers, the movie opened in Saudi Arabia last month and has also rolled out to Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar this month.

"We've seen Chinese products expand abroad in waves. Now it's time for cultural exports," said PBA Chairman Shi Kejun. "The Middle East is very supportive of Chinese industries and full of promotional potential. I'm confident we'll soon see more Chinese films not only screening here but even being filmed here."