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Universal Language

Play trailer 2:08 Universal Language 2024 1h 29m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 36 Reviews Popcornmeter 0 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.

Critics Reviews

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Nick Schager The Daily Beast An off-kilter creation that feels like the wacko offspring of Aki Kaurismäki and Abbas Kiarostami’s cinemas. Oct 9, 2024 Full Review David Robb Slant Magazine Though juxtaposing Canada’s drabness and relative lack of heritage with Iran’s millennia of unbroken tradition brings out the former aspects particularly clearly, Universal Language is aiming beyond mere satire or culture-clash playfulness. Rated: 3/4 Sep 8, 2024 Full Review Alexandra Heller-Nicholas AWFJ.org Wholly original and brought to life with an overwhelming sense of charm and sincerity, Universal Language is a film like no other. Aug 26, 2024 Full Review Paula Farmer culturevulture.net Think Wes Anderson film, but in some ways, better in a raw and unpretentious way. Oct 31, 2024 Full Review Pat Mullen POV Magazine It’s the ugliest, dreariest portrait of Winnipeg ever put to film, but also perhaps the most inviting. Oct 31, 2024 Full Review Abe Friedtanzer Awards Buzz This film is a unique specimen with a distinct point of view, using the tools of language and culture to construct a fascinating journey through a place it humorously depicts as far from worthwhile. Rated: 8/10 Oct 27, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

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Universal Language

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Movie Info

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
Production Co
Metafilms
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
Persian
Runtime
1h 29m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)