AmericanEast is a 2008 American drama film about Arab-Americans living in Los Angeles after the September 11 attacks. The story examines long-held misunderstandings about Arabic and Islamic culture by focusing on the points-of-view of three main characters. Mustafa Marzouke (Sayed Badreya) is a widowed Egyptian immigrant who owns a popular hangout for Middle Eastern backgrounds, while his sister Salwah (Sarah Shahi) must reconcile her traditional values with new American realities. Meanwhile, Omar (Kais Nashef), an Egyptian actor, struggles to find roles beyond the stereotype of a terrorist.