AMERICANEAST

Mustafa is an Egyptian immigrant, owner of Habibi’s Cafe, a hangout for Los Angeles with Middle Eastern backgrounds. He provides his children with a moral upbringing despite urban life pressures and finds himself cast in the role of protector to his unwed sister Salweh, forwhom he must find a suitor. His respect for tradition contradicts his aspirations to live the American Dream: he wants to open a restaurant with a Jewish partner. Mustafa’s friend Omar is a struggling actor, an Egyptianwho supports himself byworking as a cab driver. Because of hisMiddle Eastern looks, he is typecast in terrorist roles. Finally, an opportunity for a non-racially designated role arrives. But prejudices related to his background conspire against him, pushing Omar to make an irrational decision that sets off a violent finale which affects all the characters.