

Summer in L.A., it's hot. Homeland Security has set the threat level at red; they're searching for several Arabs alleged to be terrorists. Mustafa, an Egyptian immigrant who runs a falafel shop, comes to the FBI's attention; they investigate him. He has other problems: his young teen son no longer wants to be a Muslim; his sister, a nurse, objects to Mustafa arranging her marriage to a cousin from Egypt. She has a non-Arab suitor of her own. Omar, an employee of Mustafa, is a struggling actor who doesn't want to play only terrorists. Mustafa hopes to open a real restaurant and has a potential partner in Sam, a Jew, whose family objects. What is the price of the American dream?

Sayed Badreya
Mustafa Marzouke
Lead
Tony Shalhoub
Sam
Kais Nashef
Omar

Sarah Shahi
Salwah Marzoke

Erick Avari
Fikry

Virginia Hamilton
Casting Director

Tim Guinee
John Westerman
Manny Kleinmuntz
Ben Bloom
“A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. Hesham Issawi's vision lands with breathtaking precision.”
“Every frame feels alive. AmericanEast is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.”