An Egyptian child actor is making waves all the way in China and yes, his name is Omar Sherif.
The young actor has landed a role in Welcome to Dragon Restaurant, also known as Once Upon a Time in the Middle East, a Chinese anti-war film that has been drawing attention for telling a Middle Eastern war story through the eyes of an ordinary Chinese chef.
For Omar, the film marks another major step in a career that already includes some very recognizable Egyptian TV roles. And considering he shares a name with one of Egypt’s most internationally famous actors, it’s hard not to wonder: are we watching another Omar Sharif in the making?
From Egypt To A Chinese War Film
Once Upon a Time in the Middle East follows a Chinese chef who travels to the Middle East (modeled on Iraq) during the early 2000s to make a living and pay off his debts. When war breaks out, his restaurant becomes an unlikely refuge for children and wounded civilians.
Rather than focusing on soldiers or traditional war heroes, the film centers ordinary people and the devastating effects of war on their everyday lives.
Food becomes one of its central ideas: a restaurant turns into a small space where people from different backgrounds can sit together, share a meal and find a little peace while conflict rages outside.
Its message is summed up by the restaurant’s guiding phrase: “At the Dragon Restaurant, there is only peace and delicious food.”
Omar plays one of the children caught up in the conflict, bringing the story of how war affects children and families to the screen.
Meet Omar Sherif
Omar may still be young, but this isn’t his first time on screen.
Egyptian audiences may recognize him from several popular series, where he has already built a reputation for bringing plenty of personality to his roles.
He played Yassin in Taht El Wesaya, and Sleim in both seasons of Finding Ola.
He also played Hassan in Ein Sehreya, where his performance once again showed the naturalness and personality that have made him stand out among Egypt’s rising young actors.
There’s A Personal Connection To China, Too
Omar’s connection to China also goes beyond this film.
According to previous interviews, his father’s family is of Chinese origin, and Omar’s full name is Omar Sherif Fawzi Farid Fushang Zodki. He also learned some Chinese as a child.
That background made his involvement in Welcome to Dragon Restaurant particularly fitting, especially since he reportedly learned to prepare several Chinese dishes during the months of filming.
And cooking wasn’t completely new territory for him either. Omar has spoken about spending hours in the kitchen with his grandmother while growing up, where he developed a love for cooking.
Another Omar Sherif In The Making?
Obviously, there’s a pretty big legacy attached to that name.
The original Omar Sharif became one of Egypt’s most internationally recognized actors, crossing from Egyptian cinema into Hollywood and earning global fame through films including Lawrence of Arabia and Doctor Zhivago.
The younger Omar is still at the very beginning of his career, so it’s far too early to make any serious comparisons.
But an Egyptian child actor starring in a Chinese film, working across languages and cultures, and already building a résumé across major Egyptian productions?
That’s certainly a pretty interesting start.
And if Welcome to the Dragon Restaurant is anything to go by, Omar Sherif might be one young Egyptian actor worth keeping an eye on.
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