Described as a “coming-of-age Muslim melodrama,” Signature Move is the story of Zaynab, a young, orderly lawyer of Pakistani heritage, and her romance with Alma, a romantic bookstore owner. Zaynab (played by Fawzia Mirza, who also co-wrote the movie) lives with her recently widowed mother, Parveen (Shabana Azmi). Mother and daughter are close, but Parveen does not know about Zaynab’s sexuality — an issue that comes to light when Zaynab starts dating the honest, effusive Alma (Sari Sanchez).
In the background of this romance is a story about women’s Lucha-style wrestling. Alma’s mother, who immigrated from Mexico, is a former luchadora. Zaynab, meanwhile, trades legal work for wrestling coaching. As Zaynab’s wrestling skill grows, so does her assertiveness and need to grow in her relationship with Alma. But to do so, she will need to navigate her loving and complex relationship with her mother. Signature Move is a queer telling of a classic story, about the intersections of both romantic and familial love.
Outflix Tuesday: Signature Move
Signature Move screens on Tuesday, September 12 at 8:30 PM as part of the Outflix Film Festival.