Even without seeing the finished project, it’s clear “Universal Language” is a unique feature. It almost feels like a strange cousin of a Wes Anderson film.
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As seen in the trailer, “Universal Language” tells multiple stories that somehow interweave in surprising and mysterious ways. A couple of kids find money frozen in ice. A man gives a tour of the various historic sites in Winnipeg. And finally, you have a man who quits his government job to visit his mother.
“Universal Language” stars Matthew Rankin, Rojina Esmaeili, Saba Vahedyousefi, Sobhan Javadi, Pirouz Nemati, Mani Soleymanlou, and Danielle Fichaud. In addition to starring int he film, Rankin wrote and directed the feature. The film debuted at this year’s Cannes and took home the Audience Award of Directors’ Fortnight.
“Universal Language” is set to arrive in theaters in February 2025. You can watch the trailer below.
Here’s the 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.