Towelhead Film

Towelhead is a 2007 dramatic film written and directed by Alan Ball. The film is based on a book written by Alicia Erian of the same name.

Set during the first Gulf War, Jasira, a 13-year-old Arab-American girl, is sent to Texas to live with her strict father. As she struggles through adolescence, she deals with racism both at school and at home.Variety: Towelhead (September 12, 2007)

Much to the dismay of her father, Jasira becomes sexually attracted to Mr. Vuoso, a married army reservist.The Hollywood Reporter: Towelhead (September 13, 2007)

• Summer Bishil as Jasira
• Aaron Eckhart as Mr. Vuoso
• Peter Macdissi as Rifat
• Toni Collette as Melina
• Maria Bello as Gail

"Maintaining consistent tone and performances in such a stylized 'period piece' ... is of the utmost importance, and [director Alan Ball] doesn't have the control to keep it from veering all over the place, to queasy and debilitating effect."— VarietyVariety: Towelhead (September 12, 2007)

"By setting the film at the time of America's first Iraq invasion with TV news coverage constantly blaring in the background, Ball is able to make some telling observations about how little things have changed -- both politically and socially, over the past two decades."—'The Hollywood ReporterThe Hollywood Reporter: Towelhead (September 13, 2007)