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Universal Language

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2:08

Universal Language

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1h 29m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

80 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

In a mysterious and surreal interzone somewhere between Tehran and Winnipeg, the lives of multiple characters interweave with each other in surprising and mysterious ways. Gradeschoolers Negin and Nazgol find a sum of money frozen in the winter ice and try to claim it. Meanwhile, Massoud leads a group of increasingly-befuddled tourists through the monuments and historic sites of Winnipeg. Matthew quits his meaningless job in a Québecois government office and sets out upon an enigmatic journey to visit his mother. Space, time and personal identities crossfade, interweave and echo into a surreal comedy of misdirection.

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Critics Consensus

Bridging two nations with a clever and surreal conceit, Universal Language is a culture clash comedy brimming with wisdom.

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Stephen Romei

The Australian

This is an unconventional film that slowly drew me in. There’s a tenderness about it as the boundaries between the characters loosen.

Rated: 3/5

May 23, 2025

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Jake Wilson

Sydney Morning Herald

...I can imagine in principle how it might be possible to find Universal Language a moving experience, even without being familiar with any of its reference points. But I'm bound to say it left me pretty cold.

Rated: 2.5/5

May 22, 2025

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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (LAist)

It is all so funny and absurd, I loved it.

May 8, 2025

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Simon Miraudo

Movie Squad (RTRFM 92.1)

A comforting stew of influences ranging from Guy Maddin to Aki Kaurismaki to Roy Andersson to Abbas Kiarostami. Thankfully the sleepy middle section is leavened by a cosmic finale.

Rated: 3/5

May 23, 2025

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John McDonald

johnmcdonald.net.au

If Canada is widely accused of being boring, Rankin portrays Winnipeg in such a manner that it seems transcendentally boring.

May 20, 2025

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Sean P. Means

The Movie Cricket

Rankin … peppers this complex narrative with moments of surreal silliness, whether it’s a shop that only displays frozen turkeys or an ice skater who appears literally out of nowhere.

Rated: 3.5/4

May 10, 2025

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LTK

Not what you will expect

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/25

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George T

Surreal, mesmerizing, touching, hilarious. Very Farsi and extremely Canadian.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/29/25

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Laurie F

This is a language I do not understand. Disconnected scenarios and disengaging performances. Such a waste of communal effort.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

05/27/25

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Wayne M

Universal Language is a strange and delightful film, an unconventional film to say the least. It's full of odd humour and unique charm. This wonderful film is set in a somewhat alternate reality in the Canadian city of Winnipeg where Persian is the main language, with French sitting beside it. We follow a few interconnecting stories that eventaully come together at the end of the film. We see best friends who find money frozen in ice. Then we have a tour guide who takes groups to random and unimportant places like parking lots. Finally there is Matthew, who returns home to Winnipeg to look after his mother. There are so many surreal moments in this film. Strange characters bounce in and out and small details float by. It's often surreal and absurd, but the film gives off a warm and comforting glow. The film was made by Montreal director Matthew Rankin who also appears in the film. He has made a unique and odd film, but one that is very appealing.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/27/25

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nina n

A great little nugget of humor and humanity, because you can't have one without the other. Crush hat and magic! And then, that Christmas tree man... And then...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/25/25

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David G

A wry and subtle comedy that had the audience laughing and happy. The setting is cold and brutal, while the people were warm and lovable.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/15/25

Full Review

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Matthew Rankin

Director

Rojina Esmaeili

Actor

Danielle Fichaud

Actor

Sobhan Javadi

Actor

Saba Vahedyousefi

Nazgol

Pirouz Nemati

Massoud

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40%

91%

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Universal Language: Trailer 1

2:08

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Synopsis

In a mysterious and surreal interzone somewhere between Tehran and Winnipeg, the lives of multiple characters interweave with each other in surprising and mysterious ways. Gradeschoolers Negin and Nazgol find a sum of money frozen in the winter ice and try to claim it. Meanwhile, Massoud leads a group of increasingly-befuddled tourists through the monuments and historic sites of Winnipeg. Matthew quits his meaningless job in a Québecois government office and sets out upon an enigmatic journey to visit his mother. Space, time and personal identities crossfade, interweave and echo into a surreal comedy of misdirection.

Director: Matthew Rankin
Producer: Sylvain Corbeil
Screenwriter: Pirouz Nemati, Ila Firouzabadi, Matthew Rankin, Pirouz Nemati, Ila Firouzabadi
Distributor: Oscilloscope Laboratories
Production Co: Metafilms
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: Persian
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 14, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 29m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.66:1)

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