Starring fawzia mirza, shabana azmi and sari sanchez. Making our first feature was a whirlwind education, one far from finished as i write. Chicago film project cfp is a film and television production company and boutique distributor. Signature move was wellreceived at its world premiere at austins sxsw film festival. One of the hallmarks of signature move is that, with the exception of shabana azmi, the entire cast is engaged in chicago theater join us monday, october 2 at 7pm for a screening of the film followed by a. Chicago actress fawzia mirza writesstars in indie film. A conversation with cinema legend and activist shabana azmi on the eve of her chicago debut in signature move newcity. A new romance with alma forces zaynab to confront her relationship with her recently widowed mother who escapes to tv dramas. First tuesdays with the midwest independent film festival presented the chicago premiere of signature move, declared one of the most anticipated american films of 2017 by filmmaker magazine. Even if youve never seen cabaret or chicago, youve likely come across mention of fosses signature move. Knox ave, the location where the movies exciting wrestling scenes were filmed.
For example, in the seventh season of the office, jim john krasinski does. Fawzia mirza also introduced herself as a lesbian on twitter before the film was announced. In signature move film, queer identity, wrestling, secrets and shabana azmi for. In chicago, zaynab fawzia mirza is a thirtysomething americanpakistani lawyer who lives with and cares for her recently widowed, tvobsessed mother legendary indian actress shabana azmi. Zaynab, a thirtysomething pakistani, muslim, lesbian in chicago takes care of her sweet and tvobsessed mother. Almas mother is a former professional luchadora, which fascinates zaynab who has recently taken up wrestling herself. Reeder hones her signature moves chicago tribune september 16, 2017. First tuesdays with the midwest independent film festival presented the chicago premiere of signature move, declared one of the most. Signature move is a hilarious and heartfelt look at modern families and th. But seen on the spectrum of progress, its hard not. Rewrites took signature move to a smoother blend of tones and styles. Signature move is a hilarious and heartfelt look at modern families and the complexities of love in its many forms. On june 10, pride night, the series will show signature move, a.
Director jennifer reeders signature move, the first project of new citys film production arm chicago film project, has been making. Watch four free indie films alfresco this summer when gallagher way, in partnership with chicagobased nonprofit full spectrum features, hosts the madeinchicago indie film series. Released 2017, signature move stars fawzia mirza, shabana azmi, sari sanchez, audrey francis the movie has a runtime of about 1 hr 20 min, and received a score of out of 100 on metacritic. Signature move thats their story but also a form of. Reeders new film, signature moves, opens friday at the music box theatre, with a special screening thursday evening with actress shabana azmi in attendance, presented by the chicago south. Chicago theater night at signature move music box theatre. Chicago the madeinchicago film signature move will have a midwest festival premiere through a first tuesday showcase at the midwest independent film festival on october 3rd, 2017, and it will take place at a different location, the music box theatre in chicago usually the festival is at the landmark century centre cinema. Director jennifer reeders signature move, the first project of new citys film production arm chicago film project, has been making the international festival rounds for nearly a year. Tweet signature move, the latest feature from acclaimed filmmaker jennifer reeder, is the first movie produced by the longrunning chicago publication, newcity. It undertook production of the picture twoandahalf years ago as an experiment to illuminate the talent both in front of and behind the camera in the windy city. Follow behindthescenes news at chicago film project. As zaynab falls for alma, a bold and very bright mexican woman, she searches for her identity in life, love and wrestling. Zaynab, a pakistaniamerican lawyer in chicago, begins a new romance with alma, a confident mexicanamerican woman. Fawzia mirza shows viewers signature move windy city times september 20, 2017.
The film premiered at the 2017 south by southwest film festival. Signature move chicago premiere at midwest ind film. Chicago director jennifer reeder on her new film signature move. Signature move 2017 rotten tomatoes movie trailers. Signature move is a queer love affair that crosses cultures and chicago neighborhoods chicago magazine october 2017. After meeting in a bar, the two quickly fall into bed with each other and embark on a. Newcity cfp develops projects that have three attributes.
Muslim, lesbian lawyer living in chicago who begins a new romance with alma sari sanchez. Synopsis in chicago, zaynab fawzia mirza is a thirtysomething americanpakistani lawyer who lives with and. This unique event features shimmer champion the latina sensation mercedes martinez and fellow. Signature move is a 2017 american indie comedydrama film directed by jennifer reeder and cowritten and produced by fawzia mirza about a pakistani muslim lesbian living in chicago with her mother. Chicago production signature move brings a diverse voice. Zaynab, a thirtysomething pakistaniamerican lawyer in chicago, begins a romance with alma, a confident mexicanamerican woman. Chicagos theater and comedy community is the best in the world. Signature move is a queer love affair that crosses cultures and chicago neighborhoods chicago magazine october 2017 interview. Signature move chicago premiere at midwest ind film festival.
Fawzia mirza and molly callinan in signature move 2017. Alma sari sanchez is a freespirited mexicanamerican bookshop owner. Chicago production signature move brings a diverse voice to the big screen by lisa trifone on september 25, 2017 leave a comment when producers brian and jan heiggelke, who together publish new city, and eugene park were looking for a chicago movie project to back, they had one condition. Jennifer reeders signature move film focuses on chicago. Madeinchicago movie signature move premieres in windy. This movie contains many funnyhilarious moments, so it was nice that it wasnt completely dramatic. Vivid details can animate almost any old chestnut, and many of the variations on this timeworn tale help to give the film its appeal. The debut feature from newcitys chicago film project, set in chicago with a chicagobased cast and crew. Local filmmaker jennifer reeder made a name for herself in the mid90s playing white trash girl, sort of a female kid rock with superpowers, in a series of snarky lowbudget videos. After meeting in a bar, the two quickly fall into bed with each other and embark on a romance, but. In this hilarious and heartfelt look at modern families and the complexities of love in its many forms, zaynab fawzia mirza is a thirtysomething pakistani, muslim, lesbian lawyer living in chicago who begins a new romance with alma sari sanchez, a confident mexican. Signature move music box theatre chicagos premiere.
Alma sari sanchez is a freespirited mexican bookshop owner. As the director alluded to in her introduction, the film is a lesbian love story between a pakistan american muslim immigration lawyer and mexicanamerican bookstore owner in a peaceful diverse chicago. On thursday, september 28, the chicago south asian film festival will host the local premiere of jennifer reeders acclaimed debut feature signature move, a cro. A first official look at signature move,t he upcoming drama comedy movie directed by jennifer reeder based on a script by fawzia mirza and lisa donato and starring fawzia mirza, shabana azmi, sari sanchez, audrey francis, charin alvarez, mark hood, and molly brennan. This movie is to share the cultural misunderstandings between those who feel the need to stay in the closet due to family traditions and those who feel the need to come out to the families and friends. In the movie signature move, i n chicago, zaynab fawzia mirza is a thirtysomething pakistani lawyer living in the usa who lives with and cares for her recently widowed, tvobsessed mother veteran indian actress shabana azmi.
D molly callinan is an actress, known for chicago p. Windy city times news archive chicagos fawzia mirza on her signature move for audiences of her critically hailed appearances on stages throughout chicago, the. Signature move 2017 stream and watch online moviefone. Zaynabs recently widowed mother has moved in and spends her days watching tv dramas while searching for a potential husband for her only daughter. Filmmaker and educator jennifer reeder hones her signature. Signature move is visually stunning and does a great job of capturing chicago and the diversity folded throughout the city. Seen on its own, signature move, while intermittently quirky and fun, is a misfire thats down for the count. Director jennifer reeders signature move, the first project of new citys film production arm chicago film project, has been making the. With fawzia mirza, shabana azmi, sari sanchez, audrey francis. Zaynab, a thirtysomething pakistani, muslim, lesbian in chicago takes care of her. Watch signature move now signature move official movie. Buy dvd from newcity at movie zyng buy dvd from amazon. Almas mother is a former professional luchadora, which fascinates zaynab who has. Fawzia mirzawho jr fails to mention cowrote this film is in reality a queer, pakistani woman who wrote a semiautobiographical movie about.