A secret new romance with Alma forces Zaynab, a thirty-something Pakistani, Muslim lesbian, to confront her complicated relationship with her recently widowed mother while taking up Lucha-style wrestling, in this comedic and heartfelt look at love.

Interview with Director Jennifer Reeder

Watch Signature Move on Prime Video and hulu

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

We shot the film in Chicago last August and picture locked it almost a year ago.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

In my opinion, THIS film is the antidote for our current political climate. Art and culture will saves us in these chaotic times.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

This is a kind of coming—of—age story. Its about how one’s personal life, which in this case is quite particular, gets navigated and negotiated alongside one’s family, culture and religion. You do not need to be a Pakistani, Muslim lesbian or a Mexican-Jewish lesbian to connect to those deeply relatable protagonists.

Signature Move - Zaynab (Fawzia Mirza) wakes up next to Alma (Sari Sanchez)

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

Once a script gets “green-lighted” revisions must be made to streamline production and align with the budget. The part of Alma’s mother, ROSA, was originally a grandmother, but we were dead set on casting the outstanding Charin Alvarez and so we re-wrote the part.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

At this point, we have screened this film all over the world in about 140 film festivals and theatrical releases in both Chicago and NY. This is a romantic comedy with a plot line that includes luche-style women’s wrestling. What is not to love? The audiences responses and critical reviews have all been really embracing. Plus for so many people, its empowering and validating to finally see themselves portrayed on a big screen.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

No. We made this film to start new conversations about representation (especially of Muslim women), which is happening.

Signature Movie - Parveen (Shabana Azmi) seeks potentials through her window.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

The reason to make a film is for people to see it so I am all in favor of more exposure.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

All the above, plus it helps to have a cast and crew who are equally committed to the material especially if you are working with a limited budget. As I mentioned, we shot this film over 18 days last summer in Chicago with a Chicago based cast and crew. It felt like a true family affair with every giving 100%.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

As I mentioned, I want this film to inspire new conversations about representation of Muslims, Mexican, Immigrants and the LGBTQIA community. This is film with a beautiful message and emphatically NOT invested in portrayals of oppression.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Is lucha-style women’s wrestling the solution to all of our problems?

Signature Move - Ragina (Molly Callinan) and Zaynab (Fawzia Mirza) In the ring.

Would you like to add anything else?

This is a film with all the lead speaking roles by women of color and we had many many women behind the camera as well. This was a deeply inclusive and feminist set. And this precedent was not difficult to achieve. I recommend it for everyone. The future is female….as is the present.

Interview: December 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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Signature Move

Length: 80 minutes

Director: Jennifer Reeder

Producer: Brian Hieggelke, Fawzia Mirza, Eugene Sun Park

Writer: Fawzia Mirza and Lisa Donato

About the writer, director and producer:

Key cast: Fawzia Mirza, Sari Sanchez, Shabana Azmi, Audrey Francis, Charin Alvarez, Molly Brennan, Mark Hood

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):

Social media handles:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/signaturemovemovie

Twitter: https://twitter.com/signaturemov

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signaturemovemovie