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Releasing on Feb 12, 2025
  • 2025
  • Oscilloscope Laboratories
  • 1 h 29 m
  • 2025
  • Oscilloscope Laboratories
  • 1 h 29 m
Universal Language

Summary 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 t...

Directed By: Matthew Rankin

Written By: Ila Firouzabadi, Pirouz Nemati, Matthew Rankin

  • 2025
  • Oscilloscope Laboratories
  • 1 h 29 m
  • 2025
  • Oscilloscope Laboratories
  • 1 h 29 m

Universal Language

Metascore Universal Acclaim Based on 10 Critic Reviews
81
User Score User reviews are not available yet
tbd

Summary 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 t...

Directed By: Matthew Rankin

Written By: Ila Firouzabadi, Pirouz Nemati, Matthew Rankin

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Universal Acclaim Based on 10 Critic Reviews
81
90% Positive
9 Reviews
10% Mixed
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Universal Acclaim Based on 10 Critic Reviews
81
90% Positive
9 Reviews
10% Mixed
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
100
May 25, 2024
Universal Language is a magnificent film, one that feels warm and familiar even as we realize just how startlingly original it is.
By Bilge Ebiri FULL REVIEW
90
Sep 17, 2024
The story navigates the fine line between community pride and nationalistic zeal, providing lessons for a future while admitting to the existential futility of it all. We can shift our perspective, but every time we do, things stay pretty much the same.
By Jason Gorber FULL REVIEW
83
Oct 9, 2024
An off-kilter creation that feels like the wacko offspring of Aki Kaurismäki and Abbas Kiarostami’s cinemas.
By Nick Schager FULL REVIEW
80
Oct 11, 2024
The film is so gloriously absurd that we are mainly driven through the narrative by the continuous reveal of new elements in this bizarre and hilarious universe. Still, when everything does come together at the end, there are some emotional payoffs that sneak up on you like a wandering turkey.
By Andy Howell FULL REVIEW
80
May 25, 2024
Rankin may have conceived Universal Language in the spirit of homage, but there’s something undeniably original about the end result. Don’t be surprised if that translates into a modest cult following and more creative ideas in the future.
By Peter Debruge FULL REVIEW
75
May 25, 2024
Blending autobiographical elements with heartfelt homages to Iranian cinema, writer-director Matthew Rankin's charmingly surreal comic fable reimagines Canada as a Farsi-speaking dreamland.
By Stephen Dalton FULL REVIEW
60
May 25, 2024
You could call it whimsical. Absurdist. Contrived. Or an unexpectedly unusual concept album that doesn’t quite come off but was worth the effort. And you would be correct every time.
By Fionnuala Halligan FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

tbd

User reviews are not available for this movie yet.

Details

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Production Company Metafilms
Release Date Feb 12, 2025
Duration 1 h 29 m
Genres
Website https://universallanguage.oscilloscope.net
View All Details

Awards

Cannes Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Montclair Film Festival (MFF)
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Pingyao International Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations

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