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Towelhead

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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Cast & Crew See All

Summer Bishil
Jasira Maroun
Aaron Eckhart
Travis Vuoso
Peter Macdissi
Rifat Maroun

Featured Video

Towelhead
Towelhead
2:10

2:10 Towelhead

Awards

  • 2009 - Independent Spirit Award - Best Female Lead - nominated
  • 2008 - Grand Special Prize - - nominated
  • 2008 - VVFP Award - Worst Film - nominated
  • 2008 - WFCC Award - Most Offensive Male Character - winner

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