SYNOPSIS:
In a surreal interzone between Tehran (Iran) & Winnipeg (Canada), the lives of eccentric characters intertwine.
UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE is a brilliant kaleidoscope of encounters.
Two schoolgirls, Negin and Nazgol, discover money frozen in the ice, while Massoud guides confused tourists through Winnipeg's offbeat architectural wonders. Meanwhile, Matthew quits his job in Québec and embarks on a cryptic journey to find his mother.. or maybe himself.
Universal Language | In NZ Cinemas July 17
Dir. by Matthew Rankin | CANADA | 89 Mins | G
AWARDS:
CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS:
WINNER Best Direction – Matthew Rankin
WINNER Best Original Screenplay – Matthew Rankin, Pirouz Nemati, Ila Firouzabadi
WINNER Best Art Direction / Production Design – Louisa Schabas
WINNER Best Costume Design – Negar Nemati
WINNER Best Editing – Xi Feng
WINNER Best Casting in a Film – Marilou Richer
Best Makeup – Marie Salvado (Nominated)
Best Lead Performance in a Comedy Film – Rojina Esmaeili, Pirouz Nemati (Nom)
Best Supporting Performance in a Comedy Film – Danielle Fichaud, Mani Soleymanlou, Saba Vahedyousefi (Nominated)
Cannes Film Festival: WINNER Directors' Fortnight Audience Award
Melbourne International Film Festival: WINNER Bright Horizons Award
Toronto International Film Festival: WINNER Best Canadian Discovery Award
Vancouver International Film Festival: WINNER Best Canadian Film (Summit Award)
Filmfest Hamburg: WINNER Arthouse Cinema Award
Loft Film Fest: WINNER Arthouse Cinema Award
Toronto Film Critics Association Awards: WINNER Best Canadian Film
Stockholm International Film Festival: WINNER Best Director (Matthew Rankin)
Thessaloniki International Film Festival: WINNER Best Film in the Film Forward Comp
Viennale (Vienna International Film Festival): WINNER FIPRESCI Prize
National Board of Review: WINNER Top 5 International Films
Directors Guild of Canada Awards: DGC Discovery Award (Nominated)
Pingyao International Film Festival: Best Film (Nom) People's Choice Award (Nom)
Palm Springs International Film Festival: Best International Feature Film (Nominated)
Bangkok World Film Festival: Best Director – Matthew Rankin
Monte-Carlo Comedy Film Festival: Jury Prize – Best Director (2024) – Matthew Rankin
Calgary International Film Festival: Emerging Canadian Artist Award (2024) – Rankin
Film Club's Lost Weekend: Lost Weekend Award – Avant Robot Award (2024) –Rankin
The CAFTCAD Awards: Best Costume Design – Sci-Fi/Fantasy (2025) – Negar Nemati
Piccolo Grande Cinema: Best Film – International Competition (2024) – Matthew Rankin
Montclair Film Festival: Junior Jury – Prize (Cinematography) (2024) – Isabelle Stachtchenko
Academy Awards (Oscars): Best International Feature Film (Shortlisted)
NZ CINEMAS JULY 17
The Vic, Devonport
Takapuna Cinema
Rialto Cinema, Auckland
Regent Theatre, Te Awamutu
Gecko Theatre, Motueka
Rialto Cinema, Dunedin
AUS CINEMAS:
VIC
Cinema Nova. . Thornbury Picture House. ACMI. Eclipse Cinema.
NSW
Palace Moore Park. Golden Age Cinema.
QLD
HOTA
WA
SA
TAS
State Cinema. Star Theatre. June 28 & July 2
NT Deckchair Cinema. From June 24
QUOTES
The best movie at Cannes this year is an oddball Canadian comedy. Universal Language is a magnificent film. NEW YORK VULTURE
Matthew Rankin channels the best of Iranian Cinema in absurdist Canadian comedy... Backdrops that recall the locations in Jacques Tati’s ‘Playtime... And yet, if Rankin counts Abbas Kiarostami among his influences, this project proves he’s ready for his “Close-Up”. VARIETY
One of the most exciting directors working today, with his unique visual style and penchant for challenging narrative conventions indicating a bright future as a filmmaker… A tremendously captivating comedy. INTERNATIONAL CINEPHILE SOCIETY
A beguiling, surrealist ode to Persian cinema… Diorama-like compositions that will call to mind both Wes and Roy Anders(s)on... The world of Universal Language feels lived-in, and those lives feel consequential. It’s like nothing I’ve seen in Cannes this year. THE FILM STAGE
Rankin uses 'Universal Language' to conduct a dialogue with Iranian cinema, utilizing hallmarks of its New Wave master. REVERSE SHOT
A magnificent film, one that feels warm and familiar even as we realize just how startlingly original it is. VULTURE
The movie’s charm lies in its odd yet committed execution, offering a unique perspective on cultural connection and distance. ASSOCIATED PRESS
If cinema is a universal language, it’s never been more elastically employed than in this Matthew Rankin film. SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
Universal Language’ is delightfully absurdist, with little moments in each story that both make sense yet defy expectations. As disorienting as it is delightful. ROGER EBERT
Deeply weird, delightfully strange, inspiringly imaginative and genuinely heartfelt. PASTE MAGAZINE
