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TOWELHEAD follows the dark, bold and shockingly funny life of Jasira, a 13-year-old Arab-American girl, as she navigates the confusing and frightening path of adolescence and her own sexual awakening.
When Jasira's mother sends her to Houston to live with her strict Lebanese father, she quickly learns that her new neighbors find her and her father a curiosity. Worse, her budding womanhood makes her traditional and hot-tempered father uncomfortable. Lonely in this new environment, Jasira seeks friendship and acceptance from her neighbors Mr. Vuoso, an Army reservist, and Melina, a meddling but caring expectant mother.
Thrown into an unfamiliar suburban world, Jasira must confront racism and hypocrisy at home and at school - and at the same time struggle to make sense of her raging hormones and newfound sexuality. Her boyfriend, Thomas, though a few years older, provides some comfort - but even that relationship causes problems when her father discovers that Thomas is black. Surrounded by adults who are just as lost as she is, Jasira yearns for understanding, even amidst often brutal acts.
Based on the critically acclaimed novel by Alicia Erian and written for the screen and directed by Alan Ball (Oscarr winning writer of American Beauty and creator of Six Feet Under), TOWELHEAD stars Aaron Eckhart, Toni Collette, Maria Bello, Peter Macdissi and newcomer Summer Bishil as Jasira.
Original Release
08/29/2008
US Release
09/12/2008
Links
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Summer Bishil | Jasira Maroun |
Chris Messina | Barry |
Maria Bello | Gail Monahan |
Peter Macdissi | Rifat Maroun |
Gemmenne de la Peña | Denise |
Robert Baker | Mr. Joffrey |
Eamonn Roche | School Photographer |
Aaron Eckhart | Travis Vuoso / Mr. Vuoso |
Carrie Preston | Evelyn Vuoso |
Chase Ellison | Zack Vuoso |
Directors
Writers
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Summer Bishil | Jasira Maroun |
Chris Messina | Barry |
Maria Bello | Gail Monahan |
Peter Macdissi | Rifat Maroun |
Gemmenne de la Peña | Denise |
Robert Baker | Mr. Joffrey |
Eamonn Roche | School Photographer |
Aaron Eckhart | Travis Vuoso / Mr. 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 |
Nathalie Walker | "Golf Girl" Centerfold |
Kim Knight | Topless Golfer |
LoriDawn Messuri | Golfer / Topless Golfer |
Lorna Scott | French Teacher |
Lynn Collins | Thena Panos |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Anne Carey | Executive Producer |
Cota Castelblanco | Executive Producer |
Alan Ball | Producer |
Ted Hope | Producer |
Christina Jokanovich | Producer |