AmericanEast (2008): Cast & Plot
AmericanEast is a 2008 romantic drama directed by Hesham Issawi, starring Sayed Badreya as Mustafa Marzouke, Tony Shalhoub and Sarah Shahi. It runs 1 hour 52 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 52m (112 min)
- Director
- Hesham Issawi
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Distant Horizon
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is AmericanEast About?
The premise of AmericanEast without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Set in a sweltering Los Angeles summer, Homeland Security has raised the threat level to red and is hunting Arab suspects. Mustafa, an Egyptian falafel‑shop owner, draws FBI scrutiny while juggling a teenage son rejecting Islam, a sister who opposes an arranged marriage, an aspiring actor employee, and a partnership with Sam, a Jewish man whose family objects. The film asks what the American Dream truly costs.
AmericanEast Themes & Keywords
· 1 tag- restaurant
AmericanEast Cast & Characters
Sayed Badreya leads the cast as Mustafa Marzouke, with Tony Shalhoub as Sam and Sarah Shahi as Salwah Marzoke. Directed by Hesham Issawi; 8 actors are credited in all.
- Director Hesham Issawi
- Sayed Badreya as Mustafa Marzouke
-
Tony Shalhoub as Sam - Sarah Shahi as Salwah Marzoke
- Tim Guinee as John Westerman
Also Starring in AmericanEast
· 4 more- Kais Nashef Omar
- Erick Avari Fikry
- Manny Kleinmuntz Ben Bloom
- Virginia Hamilton Casting Director
AmericanEast Plot Summary
What happens in AmericanEast from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Mustafa, Sayed Badreya is a widowed Egyptian immigrant who runs Habibe’s Café, a warm, busy gathering place in Los Angeles where people with Middle Eastern roots come to connect, share news, and keep their traditions alive. He is deeply devoted to giving his son Mohammed a steady, moral upbringing, even as the currents of modern urban life test that commitment. Beyond his role as a father, he becomes the steadfast protector of his unwed sister Salwah, and, under family duty, he is expected to arrange a traditional marriage for her. Yet Mustafa’s respect for tradition begins to collide with his own budding ambitions to chase the American Dream when he pitches a bold plan to open a new restaurant with his Jewish partner—his friend Sam, Tony Shalhoub.
Full summary
The whole story of AmericanEast, scene by scene
AmericanEast Trailers & Videos
The trailer of AmericanEast.
How Well Do You Know AmericanEast?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who owns Habibe's Café in Los Angeles?
Seen AmericanEast?
Movies Like AmericanEast
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Americanish, The East and Amerikatsi.
AmericanEast FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of AmericanEast, each answered in a sentence.
How long is AmericanEast?
AmericanEast runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).
When was AmericanEast released?
AmericanEast was released on November 14, 2008.
Who directed AmericanEast?
AmericanEast was directed by Hesham Issawi.
Who is in the cast of AmericanEast?
AmericanEast stars Sayed Badreya as Mustafa Marzouke, Tony Shalhoub as Sam and Sarah Shahi as Salwah Marzoke, among 8 credited actors.
Does AmericanEast have a post-credit scene?
No. AmericanEast has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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