Entry 7

The film American East was about Muslims living in Los Angeles in a post 9/11 United States. The most heartbreaking character was the cab driver and aspiring actor. During the film, he asked his pregnant girlfriend to marry him because he thought he was in a more stable position having gotten a part on a TV show for which he was scheduled to appear seven times. However, the script was completely rewritten and he was left to play the part of terrorist. Though it obviously bothered him, he said he would do the part. However, after agreeing to do this, he tells his agent that he won't do this sort of part again. As the film goes on, the actor is recognized in a coffee shop by some rather stupid young men who think that he really is a terrorist rather than consider that what they saw had been a promotion. After quite understandably yanking their chain by saying he really was a terrorist, he ends up being arrested and missing his chance to audition for a part that he really wanted. By this point, the character is quite understandably depressed and fed up. After loosing his job as a cab driver because his boss needed somebody who would work full time, he tries to explain to the director of the television show that he was uncomfortable playing the part of a terrorist only to have the entire situation devolve into a hostage situation where he is eventually killed. The worst part is that his pregnant fiance was speaking to him on the phone whenhe is shot by a sniper.