IMDb > Nothing Is Private (2007)
Nothing Is Private
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Nothing Is Private (2007) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 41 | slideshow) Videos (see all 11 NEW)
Nothing Is Private (2007) -- This is the theatrical trailer for Towelhead, directed by Alan Ball.
Nothing Is Private (2007) -- Clip: Mexican Restaurant
Nothing Is Private (2007) -- A young Arab-American girl struggles with her sexual obsession, a bigoted Army reservist and her strict father during the Gulf War. Based on Alicia Erian's novel "Towelhead".
Nothing Is Private (2007) -- ZuGuide.com - Trailer (Flash)
Nothing Is Private (2007) -- MovieMaze.de - Trailer (Quicktime, Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   4,309 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 28% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Alan Ball
Writers (WGA):
Alan Ball (screenplay)
Alicia Erian (novel)
Contact:
View company contact information for Towelhead on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 September 2008 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
Tagline:
How Can You Find Yourself if No One Can See You? more
Plot:
A young Arab-American girl struggles with her sexual obsession, a bigoted Army reservist and her strict father during the Gulf War. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(47 articles)
Towelhead on DVD
 (From CanMag. 2 February 2009, 9:50 AM, PST)

/Filmcast Ep. 35 - Towelhead (Guest: Stephen Tobolowsky)
 (From Slash Film. 27 January 2009, 7:52 PM, PST)

User Comments:
Great Film more (43 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Towelhead (Australia) (USA) (new title)
Untitled Alan Ball Project (USA) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong disturbing sexual content and abuse involving a young teen, and for language.
Runtime:
USA:124 min
Country:
USA
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS
Filming Locations:
Chino, California, USA more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
This film, based on the book Towelhead by Alicia Erian, debuted at the 2007 Toronto Film Festival with the non-controversial title Nothing is Private. However, after consultation with Erian and Warner Brothers, the filmmakers decided to release the movie in the United States and other countries with the same title as the book, obviously an ethnic slur. The title was met with controversy and protests from the Arab-American community. Some complained about the slur itself, others accused Warner Brothers of choosing a buzz-generating controversial title that was misleading since the story centers more on Jasira's sexual behavior than her ethnicity. This and other topics are discussed on the DVD's two panel discussions. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: Melina tells Jasira that an adult having sex with someone under the age of 16 is considered statutory rape. In Texas, however, that age is 17. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Barry: You're beautiful just the way you are, Jasira. Those other girls are just jealous because you're growing up faster than they are. And you're prettier than they are. Listen, don't let it get you down. Stupid names they're calling you. This year - just gimme a second
[wets the razor]
Barry: this year, your gonna shut them up. Only, probably you shouldn't tell your mom about this.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "HBO First Look: Towelhead (#15.14)" (2008) more
Soundtrack:
She Drives Me Crazy more

FAQ

What does the alternate title "Towelhead" mean?
What happened between Jasira and Travis? Why didn't she realize he raped her?
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
more
67 out of 94 people found the following comment useful.
Great Film, 7 November 2007
10/10
Author: favfan from United States

The screenplay was adapted by Ball from the novel Towelhead by Alicia Erian, and is set in Texas in 1991, during the first gulf war. It follows thirteen year old Jasira as she bounces between her abusive and uncaring mother and her pedophile neighbor, to an abusive father, and a horny boyfriend.

This is uncomfortable, heavy material, but a streak of dark comedy and the compelling performance of Summer Bishil pulls the audience through. This should have "Best Ensemble" locked up at the SAG Awards next year. I'll tell you now to look for Macdissi to pick up an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting and possibly Eckhart as well. But the real story here is Summer Bishil.It's one of those performances that is so subtle and complex, that it leaves you asking for more. This deserves not only an nomination but the Oscar itself.

Even though some of the antagonists in NOTHING IS PRIVATE do some pretty despicable things, most are fully realized, complicated characters. In fact, nearly every character has some kind of baggage, though some have flaws that lead to more serious consequences than others.

So far at TIFF, I think I've seen most of the candidates for best picture, and I have to say that NOTHING IS PRIVATE is the front-runner in my mind. It may be a tough sell in the heartland to have a judging finger pointed straight back at yourself, but sometimes deep down we all realize we need it. That kind of thing goes over like gangbusters in the Hollywood Oscar-voting set. But most importantly, NOTHING IS PRIVATE is American film-making at its finest.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Nothing Is Private (2007)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
I didn't even realize this was set during the gulf war freegame365
Anyone who is uncomfortable watching sex has problems !!! movieliker1
amazing movie *spoiler* devcheer22
I really liked Toni Collette's character and the Dad jmmgausa
Jasira doesn't look Lebanese zahi_man-1
Actors playing younger characters zerobeat
more

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