Towelhead (2007)

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, Aaron Eckhart, Peter Macdissi

1 win & 3 nominations.

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:

arab american | family relationships | sexual awakening | loss of virginity | child abuse | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Actress Summer Bishil turned 18 before filming started, allowing her to play the 13 year old Jasira without any restrictions as to what sexually themed scenes she could participate in.

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Goofs

While interviewing the neighbor about the war he says at one occasion "Is that so" twice before he cuts of the tape, later when listening to the tape he only says it one time before the tape continues on to the second part of recording.

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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

Way Down Now
Written by Karl Wallinger (as Karl Edmond DeVere Wallinger)
Performed by World Party
Courtesy of Seaview Records

User Reviews

Don't pre-judge

Don't be fooled by the people commenting here on how racist, hateful, pro-Israeli, etc., this movie supposedly is. If you haven't read the book, you don't know anything about what the movie is going to be. I read the book after hearing Alicia Erian read an excerpt from it at an event in San Francisco. I look forward to the movie, and I recommend people who think it's going to promote any sort of hate or intolerance should either read the book or wait until they can talk to someone who's actually SEEN the movie, before posting silly comments about how this movie is pro-Israeli propaganda. Otherwise, your arguments begin to look like their only purpose is to just baselessly attack the film and/or the book's author.

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:

California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$52,823, 14 September 2008

Gross USA:

$372,124

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$691,733

Company Credits

Production Co:

Indian Paintbrush, Scott Rudin Productions, This Is That Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1