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
Coming Soon On Demand and DVD | October 15
Dir. by Matthew Rankin | CANADA | 89 Mins | G
AWARDS:
UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE scooped up 6 AWARDS at THE CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS
on June 1, 2025:
WINNER | Best Direction – Matthew Rankin
WINNER | Best Original Screenplay – Matthew Rankin, Pirouz Nemati, Ila Firouzabadi
WINNER | Best Editing – Xi Feng
WINNER | Best Art Direction / Production Design – Louisa Schabas
WINNER | Best Costume Design – Negar Nemati
WINNER Best Casting in a Film – Marilou Richer
Nominated | Best Makeup – Marie Salvado
Nominated | Best Motion Picture
Nominated | Best Lead Performance in a Comedy Film – Rojina Esmaeili, Pirouz Nemati
Nominated | Best Supporting Performance in a Comedy Film – Danielle Fichaud, Mani Soleymanlou, Saba Vahedyousefi
WINNER | Cannes Film Festival: Directors' Fortnight Audience Award
WINNER | Melbourne International Film Festival: Bright Horizons Award
WINNER | Toronto International Film Festival: Best Canadian Discovery Award
WINNER | Vancouver International Film Festival: Best Canadian Film (Summit Award)
WINNER | Filmfest Hamburg: Arthouse Cinema Award
WINNER | Loft Film Fest: Arthouse Cinema Award
WINNER | Toronto Film Critics Association Awards: Best Canadian Film
WINNER | Stockholm International Film Festival: Best Director (Matthew Rankin)
WINNER | Thessaloniki International Film Festival: Best Film in the Film Forward Competition
WINNER | Viennale (Vienna International Film Festival): FIPRESCI Prize
WINNER | National Board of Review: Top 5 International Films
WINNER | Directors Guild of Canada Awards: Jean-Marc Vallée DGC Discovery Award (Nominated)
WINNER | Pingyao International Film Festival: Best Film (Nominated) + People's Choice Award (Nominated)
WINNER | Palm Springs International Film Festival: Best International Feature Film (Nominated)
WINNER | Bangkok World Film Festival: Best Director – Matthew Rankin
WINNER | Monte-Carlo Comedy Film Festival: Jury Prize – Best Director (2024) – Matthew Rankin
WINNER | Calgary International Film Festival: RBC Emerging Canadian Artist Award (2024) – Mr Ranki
WINNER | Film Club's The Lost Weekend: Lost Weekend Award – Avant Robot Award (2024) – Mr Rankin
WINNER | The CAFTCAD Awards: Best Costume Design in Film – Sci-Fi/Fantasy (2025) – Negar Nemati
WINNER | Piccolo Grande Cinema: Best Film – International Competition (2024) – Matthew Rankin
WINNER | Montclair Film Festival: Junior Jury – Prize (Cinematography) (2024) – Isabelle Stachtchenko
Canada’s Entrant | Academy Awards (Oscars): Best International Feature
ON DEMAND:
Australia & NZ October 15, 2025
Watch this space
ON DVD:
Australia & NZ
October 15,2025
Watch this space
NZ
ONLY
QUOTES
Universal Language might just be my favourite film of 2025…it is one of the greatest examples of looking-for-love-in-a-parallel world I've seen. GRAEME TUCKETT, THE POST
★★★★★ " the viewer’s soul feels truly full by the film’s end. One of the finest films you can see in cinemas this year”. TOM AUGUSTINE, VIEW MAGAZINE
★★★★☆ Universal Language is one of the more remarkable films of the decade. KATE RODGERS, RNZ AFTERNOONS
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
