Premiering at Sundance in the next few days is the debut film from writer/director Alan Ball. If you don’t know Alan’s previous work, he’s the creator of HBO’s “Six Feet Under,” and he also wrote “American Beauty” back in 1999. Anyway, while he’s been very involved in both TV and movies, “Towelhead” marks his feature debut as a director.

And if you’re confusing this movie with “Nothing is Private” - a film that he also wrote and directed - the reason for the confusion is that they’re the same movie. They recently changed the name to “Towelhead.”

At any rate, Warner Independent just released 4 movie clips and they’re below the official synopsis. Since the movie will start to screen in the next few days for both audiences and critics, expect reviews online quite soon.

“Towelhead” follows the dark, bold and shockingly funny life of Jasira, a 13-year-old Arab-American girl, as she navigates the confusing and frightening path of adolescence and her own sexual awakening.

When Jasira's mother sends her to Houston to live with her strict Lebanese father, she quickly learns that her new neighbors find her and her father a curiosity. Worse, her budding womanhood makes her traditional and hot-tempered father uncomfortable. Lonely in this new environment, Jasira seeks friendship and acceptance from her neighbors Mr. Vuoso, an Army reservist, and Melina, a meddling but caring expectant mother.

Thrown into an unfamiliar suburban world, Jasira must confront racism and hypocrisy at home and at school - and at the same time struggle to make sense of her raging hormones and newfound sexuality. Her boyfriend, Thomas, though a few years older, provides some comfort - but even that relationship causes problems when her father discovers that Thomas is black. Surrounded by adults who are just as lost as she is, Jasira yearns for understanding, even amidst often brutal acts.

Based on the critically acclaimed novel by Alicia Erian and written for the screen and directed by Alan Ball, “Towelhead” stars Aaron Eckhart, Toni Collette, Maria Bello, Peter Macdissi and newcomer Summer Bishil as Jasira.

Movie Clip 1 - Gail arrives

Movie Clip 2 - Mexican restaurant

Movie Clip 3 - Barry and I broke up

Movie Clip 4 - I wasn’t in his car