SYNOPSIS:

In a surreal interzone between Tehran (Iran) & Winnipeg (Canada), the lives of eccentric characters intertwine.

A brilliant kaleidoscope of encounters where international borders fade. 

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 Cinemas May 22

Dir. by Matthew Rankin | CANADA | 89 Mins | G

AWARDS:

  • Cannes Film Festival:   Directors' Fortnight Audience Award

  • Melbourne International Film Festival:  Bright Horizons Award

  • Toronto International Film Festival:  Best Canadian Discovery Award

  • Vancouver International Film Festival:  Best Canadian Film (Summit Award)

  • Filmfest Hamburg:  Arthouse Cinema Award

  • Loft Film Fest:  Arthouse Cinema Award

  • Toronto Film Critics Association Awards:   Best Canadian Film

  • Stockholm International Film Festival:  Best Director (Matthew Rankin)

  • Thessaloniki International Film Festival:  Best Film in the Film Forward Competition

  • Viennale (Vienna International Film Festival):  FIPRESCI Prize

  • National Board of Review:  Top 5 International Films

  • Directors Guild of Canada Awards:   Jean-Marc Vallée DGC Discovery Award (Nominated) 

  • Pingyao International Film Festival:  Best Film (Nominated)

    People's Choice Award (Nominated) 

  • 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:    RBC Emerging Canadian Artist Award (2024) – Mr Rankin

  • Film Club's The Lost Weekend: Lost Weekend Award – Avant Robot Award (2024) – Mr Rankin

  • The CAFTCAD Awards: Best Costume Design in Film – 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) 

CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS NOMINATIIONS: 

  • Best Motion Picture

  • Best Direction – Matthew Rankin

  • Best Original Screenplay – Matthew Rankin, Pirouz Nemati, Ila Firouzabadi

  • Best Lead Performance in a Comedy Film – Rojina Esmaeili, Pirouz Nemati

  • Best Supporting Performance in a Comedy Film – Danielle Fichaud, Mani Soleymanlou, Saba Vahedyousefi

  • Best Art Direction / Production Design – Louisa Schabas

  • Best Costume Design – Negar Nemati

  • Best Editing – Xi Feng

  • Best Makeup – Marie Salvado

  • Best Casting in a Film – Marilou Richer

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

A magnificent film, one that feels warm and familiar even as we realize just how startlingly original it is. VULTURE

Deeply weird, delightfully strange, inspiringly imaginative and genuinely heartfelt. PASTE MAGAZINE

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