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Its incendiary title would be a lightning rod on its own. At first considered too controversial, Towelhead made its debut at the 2007 Toronto Film Festival as Nothing is Private, but was changed after “audiences universally complained that [the title] was pointless.” (1)

The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations recently protested, calling on Warner Bros. to change the title yet again, but Warner Bros. isn’t budging……a decision the book’s author applauds:

As an Arab-American woman, I am of course aware that the title of my book is an ethnic slur. Indeed, I selected the title to highlight one of the novel's major themes: racism. We live in a racist society, one in which people continue to use ethnic slurs to delineate those who are different than they are. Realistically speaking, though, these people are neither the audience for my book, nor for the film. They will continue to use whatever language they wish whether or not a movie called "Towelhead" is released. For this reason, I am pleased that Warner Bros. is standing by the title.” --Alicia Erian

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About the Movie: “Jasira wants something she can’t define; attention, love, acceptance or a normal life. Unfortunately she doesn’t know the right way to find it. When Jasira’s mother exiles her to Houston to live with her strict, quick-to-anger Lebanese father, she quickly learns what aspects of herself to suppress in front of him. In private, however, she conducts her sexual awakening with all the false confidence that pop culture and her neighbor's magazines have provided. The result is a funny, dark, bold and harrowing look at the confusion and misguided exploration of youth in America’s track houses, public schools and suburban wastelands.” (Official WB synopsis)

You can watch the movie trailer below [ courtesy of youtube ]:

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In addition, the film’s unflinching portrayal of a thirteen-year-old girl’s sexual awakening--including depictions of menstruation, masturbation, and underage sex--pushes just about every cultural hot button. Amidst mixed critical reviews, Towelhead has been touted as an Oscar hopeful and maligned as kiddie porn. In a culture that both glorifies and detests the sexualization of teenage girls in the media, this is hardly surprising.

Chris Barsanti of Filmcritic.com says:

The America in this film is one that barrages young women with harshly charged sexuality and then punishes them for responding.

Audiences can soon make up their own minds about the film. Towelhead was released to limited audiences Friday, September 12, with a slightly wider release scheduled for September 19.

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[ Official Movie Site ] [ IMDb Movie details ]

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Comments (4)

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Having read the book, I have to say the movie looks just amazing. Not to mention that it has one of my favorite female stars in it - Toni Collette! I hope this gets wide release, and international release, very soon!

Elle , September 13, 2008

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I agree with the author's sentiments, that no matter what, people will continue to use whatever kind of language they want.
Should it come to any of my local theatres, I'll be there.
Very interesting story and article! But then, I love controversy...

blearyeyedmesgirl , September 14, 2008 | url

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I've heard a bit about the controversy, but it's nice to get some real insight into it. The filmmakers look very talented and I'm putting this one on my list to see.

tracygee , September 15, 2008

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Interesting write up; I had only heard the name and that there was some controversy, but hearing more about the story has intrigued me. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to get to see it soon.
-P.S. catchy title

lifeisfast , September 15, 2008

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