Universal Language

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2:08

Universal Language

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1h 29m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

67 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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David Fear

Rolling Stone

There is no single category that you can slot Rankin’s mix of a wink, a nudge and an embrace into, so we guess “lo-fi masterpiece” will have to do until a better option comes along.

Feb 19, 2025

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Jake Coyle

Associated Press

I’ve not gone long without thinking about “Universal Language.” I guess Rankin’s movie dream has filtered into those of my own.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 15, 2025

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Monica Castillo

RogerEbert.com

“Universal Language” is both culturally specific to Winnipeg and Tehran but, true to its title, quite universal in the emotional undercurrent of its triptych.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 14, 2025

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

I’m still not quite sold on this writer-director’s sensibility, which seems to beg indulgent applause for a quirkiness that is never quite as clever or funny as we’re meant to find it.

Feb 22, 2025

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Robert Denerstein

Denerstein Unleashed

...those who appreciate the quiet audacity of Rankin's vision will find a movie that amuses and enriches as it mingles laughter and tears.

Feb 19, 2025

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Erik Reeds

Spectrum Culture

It’s a less successful imitation of some of the greatest films ever made, but one can imagine worse fates for an upstart director.

Feb 18, 2025

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LTK

Not what you will expect

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/25

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Moody C

This is like a low budget international Wes Anderson film with subtle humor and very visual palette. Although there is really no story here, it is a pleasant experience that does not overstay its welcome.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/18/25

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Victoria C

This is a perspective that you can tell is deeply driven. There are some slow parts but the story is there strong enough to take you through to the end

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/25

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Matthew Rankin

Director

Rojina Esmaeili

Actor

Danielle Fichaud

Actor

Sobhan Javadi

Actor

Saba Vahedyousefi

Nazgol

Pirouz Nemati

Massoud

Weak Layers

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 (1.85:1)

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