American East is set in the Arab-American community living in Los Angeles. Directed by Hesham Issawi and written by Issawi and Sayed Badreya, it explores the lives of Arab-Americans living in a country both suspicious and curious of their religion, way of life and allegiance. Mustafa (Sayed Badreya) is struggling to bring up his son, Mohammed (Richard Cagoury) according to tradition and keep him away from the temptations of modern city life. A cafe owner, he also cares for his younger unmarried sister, Salwah (Sarah Shali). When he tries to form a business partnership with his Jewish friend, Sam (Tony Shaloub), he earns the ire of his customers and others from the close-knit Arab community. Salwah begins to have romantic feelings for an American doctor (Tim Guinee), confounding the plans of her family who have arranged for her to marry her older cousin (Al Faris). Mustafa and his family are torn between the pull of their traditional values and the realities of life in America.moreless