Towelhead (2008)

As the specter of the first Gulf War looms large in 1991, President George Bush (Senior) orders an attack on Iraq. Simultaneously, a world away, young Jasira Maroun, a 13-year-old girl of Lebanese heritage, grapples with her own battle in Syracuse. Innocently perched on the cusp of womanhood, Jasira is sent to live with her stern and emotionally distant father, Rifat, in Houston after a troubling incident involving her mother's boyfriend. Jasira's new life in Houston is riddled with complexities. The threads of puberty, racial slurs, and a cultural clash weave a tapestry of adversity that she must navigate. Her father, a Lebanese native turned Christian, exerts an iron grip on her life, further isolating her from her peers. His intolerance extends to her budding relationship with Thomas, an African-American classmate, leading to harsh consequences. In the midst of her tumultuous family life, Jasira's innocence is further challenged when she becomes the object of desire for their neighbor, Travis Vuoso. All the while, she finds herself drawn into a whirlpool of sexual awakening, fueling her own fantasies and confrontations with her emerging womanhood. As the world around her spirals, Jasira finds solace and friendship in a pregnant neighbor, offering a glimmer of hope in her darkened world. But can she gain control of her life and navigate the minefield of adolescence against such odds? Or is she destined to be a pawn in a game played by adults, teetering on the brink of tragedy? 'Towelhead' is a coming-of-age tale that boldly explores the challenges of adolescence against a backdrop of cultural conflict and sexual awakening.

Towelhead is a drama movie featuring Summer Bishil and directed by Alan Ball.

Towelhead is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy Towelhead on Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.