Towelhead (2007)
"Nothing Is Private" (original title)

A young Arab-American girl struggles with her sexual obsession, a bigoted Army reservist and her strict father during the Gulf War.

Director:

Alan Ball

Writers:

Alan Ball (written for the screen by), Alicia Erian (novel)

Stars:

Summer Bishil, Chris Messina, Peter Macdissi

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Summer Bishil	...	Jasira Maroun
Chris Messina	...	Barry
Maria Bello	...	Gail Monahan
Peter Macdissi	...	Rifat Maroun (as Peter MacDissi)
Gemmenne de la Peña	...	Denise
Robert Baker	...	Mr. Joffrey
Eamonn Roche	...	School Photographer
Aaron Eckhart	...	Travis Vuoso
Carrie Preston	...	Evelyn Vuoso
Chase Ellison	...	Zack Vuoso
Irina Voronina	...	"Snow Queen" Centerfold
Cleo King	...	Sales Clerk
Michael McShae	...	Middle School Jerk
D.C. Cody	...	Middle School Jerk
Soledad St. Hilaire	...	Janitor

Storyline

Against the backdrop of the first Gulf War, Jasira Maroun is 13, physically well developed but naïve and unable to say no. As puberty arrives, her mother sends her from Syracuse to Houston to her curt, up-tight, Lebanese-born father. Over the next few months, Jasira must navigate her father's strict indifference, her discovery of sexual pleasure, the casual racism of a neighbor boy and her classmates, the sexual advances of the boy's father, the proffered friendship of a pregnant neighbor, and her attraction to Thomas, an African-American classmate whom her father forbids her to see. Things happen to her, but can she take responsibility and control, or is tragedy inevitable?

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Plot Keywords:

neighbor | boy | gulf war | girl | school | 

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Taglines:

How can you find yourself if no one can see you?

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong disturbing sexual content and abuse involving a young teen, and for language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English French Arabic Spanish

Release Date:

26 September 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Untitled Alan Ball Project

Filming Locations:

Chino, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$52,823 (USA) (12 September 2008)

Gross:

$371,446 (USA) (17 October 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Indian Paintbrush, Scott Rudin Productions, This Is That Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min 116 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Actress Summer Bishil turned 18 before filming started, allowing her to play the 13 year old, sexually overactive Jasira without any restrictions as to what she could do or show in the movie.

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Goofs

Although the movie was set in 1990-91 (as the story starts before the Gulf War and concludes soon after the war ends), the microwave in the father's house looked current, the airport looked really modern, the nudie mags didn't look that old, and most of the clothes throughout the film looked wrong for the era.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Barry: You're beautiful just the way you are, Jasira. Those other girls are just jealous because you're growing up faster than they are. And you're prettier than they are. Listen, don't let it get you down. Stupid names they're calling you. This year - just gimme a second
[wets the razor]
Barry: this year, your gonna shut them up. Only, probably you shouldn't tell your mom about this.

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Connections

Featured in HBO First Look: Towelhead (2008)

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Soundtracks

"New Sensation"
Written by Andrew Farriss & Michael Hutchence
Performed by INXS
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing and Mercury Records Limited
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Sundance premier under new name

Just left the Sundance premier. They changed the title back to Towelhead, kind of a harsh turn-off while choosing a movie, but I guess that was the name of the semi- autobiographical novel. The author was present and looks well recovered from her childhood.

I can see why many reviewers hate this movie. It's cringe-worthy to watch the sexual awakening of a pubescent teen, when her parents and other important adults are childishly self-centered, in contrast to her own childlike innocence, honesty and vulnerability. That contrast and that cringe are what make it real and relevant. An unnerving part of the story is that the protagonist is never a victim. She is too inexperienced and too unmentored to act in what an adult would consider her own best interest, at least at first. But, she never participates in anything against her will. She is never denied her freedom, at least no one who tries to restrict her has the will and persistence to succeed for long. Hers is not to suffer, then be redeemed and live happily ever after. Hers is to introduce sex into her life this way, then go on.

Regarding the mechanics of the movie, it is explicit, but not graphic. Viewers hoping for teen porn will be disappointed, body parts stay covered or concealed by camera angles.

The story engages all types of Americans around this kid's ambivalent choices, a socially liberal me-generation mom, a conservative Christian Arab Dad, right-wing white Christian neighbors, liberal social activist neighbors, a middle class black friend, and a Latina mom- figure who mistakes her of one of her own. The acting is great. As one would expect, there's lots of room for humor. Once over the cringing,if you did get over it, it was an engaging and thought-provoking movie.