Signature Move is a 2017 American indie comedy-drama film directed by Jennifer Reeder and co-written and produced by Fawzia Mirza about a Pakistani Muslim lesbian living in Chicago with her mother.[1] Fawzia Mirza also introduced herself as a lesbian on Twitter before the film was announced.[2] The film premiered at the 2017 South by Southwest Film Festival.
| Signature Move | |
|---|---|
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| سیگنیچر موو | |
| Directed by | Jennifer Reeder |
| Written by | Fawzia Mirza Lisa Donato |
| Produced by | Brian Hieggelke Fawzia Mirza Eugene Sun Park |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Christopher Rejano |
Release date |
|
| Country | United States |
| Languages | English Urdu Spanish |
Premise
editZaynab, a thirty-something Pakistani, Muslim, and lesbian woman living in Chicago, takes care of her TV-obsessed mother Parveen. As Zaynab falls for Alma, a bold and very bright Mexican woman, she searches for her identity in life, love and wrestling.
Cast
edit- Fawzia Mirza as Zaynab
- Shabana Azmi as Parveen
- Sari Sanchez as Alma
- Audrey Francis as Jayde
- Charin Alvarez as Rosa
- Mark Hood as Milo
- Molly Brennan as Killian
- Minita Gandhi as Hina
- Mia Park as Bookstore Customer
- The scholar Kareem Khubchandani has a cameo as a man outside on whom Parveen spies.
Production
editCasting
editFawzia Mirza approached Shabana Azmi in Chicago when she was there to work in a play. She signed her to play the role in the film. The film features Fawzia Mirza as a Muslim lesbian and Shabana Azmi as her mother. The cast also includes Sari Sanchez, Audrey Francis and Charin Alvarez.[3]
Filming
editShabana Azmi moved to Chicago in early August 2016. Fawzia posted a selfie with Azmi on Instagram and announced that they have started the shooting of the film.[4][5]
Awards
edit| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Cleveland International Film Festival | Best American Independent Feature Film | Nominated |
| FilmOut San Diego | Audience Award - Best Actress (Fawzia Mirza) | Won | |
| Festival Award - Best Director (Jennifer Reeder) | Won | ||
| Iris Prize Festival | Best Actress (Fawzia Mirza) | Won | |
| L.A. Outfest | Grand Jury Award - Outstanding American Narrative Feature | Won | |
| Paris Lesbian and Feminist Film Festival | Best Feature Film | Won | |
| Nashville Film Festival | Bridgestone Narrative Feature Competition | Nominated | |
| QCinema International Film Festival | Best Picture - RainbowQC Competition | Won | |
| SXSW Film Festival | SXSW Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award (Jennifer Reeder) | Nominated | |
| SXSW Gamechanger Award (Jennifer Reeder) | Nominated |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ K Jha, Subhash (15 August 2016). "Shabana Azmi's next? A lesbian film!". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
- ^ "Shabana Azmi signs Pakistani filmmaker's lesbian drama". The Express Tribune. 15 August 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
- ^ Gandhi, Lakshmi (30 August 2016). "Love, Family, Pro Wrestling Enter the Ring in 'Signature Move'". NBC News. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
- ^ "Breaking barriers: Shabana Azmi signs Pakistani writer's film". The Express Tribune. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
- ^ ""Signature Move" Feature Film Shoots in Chicago with Shabana Azmi". SKJ Bollywood News. 21 August 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
Further reading
edit- Betancourt, Manuel (December 6, 2017). "'Signature Move' Is a Must-See Lucha Libre Lesbian Love Story". Remezcla.