TIFF 2024: Universal Language (Movie Trailer in Farsi and French with English subtitles)
TIFF 2024: Universal Language – A Delightfully Strange Reimagining of Canada
Matthew Rankin is back with his second feature, Universal Language (Une Langue Universelle), and it’s as quirky, imaginative, and deadpan as you’d expect from the director of The Twentieth Century. Premiering at TIFF 2024, this film transports us to a reimagined Canada where Persian and French are the official languages, and loneliness is something we all have in common. If you’re a fan of absurd, experimental cinema with a dash of heart, Universal Language is for you.
The Story: A Canada Like You’ve Never Seen
Set in a version of Canada that’s both familiar and completely bizarre, Universal Language follows a cast of oddball characters as they navigate the everyday absurdities of life. In Winnipeg, children embark on eccentric quests, sometimes dressing like Groucho Marx to perplex the adults around them. Their playful antics regularly disrupt a local tour led by the ever-frustrated Massoud (Pirouz Nemati), who tries to make sense of the city’s strange landmarks.
Meanwhile, in Montreal, government worker Matthew (played by Rankin himself) is fed up with his job. After quitting, he hops on a bus back to Manitoba to visit his mother, only to discover that nothing in his family is quite what he expected. It’s a surreal journey full of unexpected twists, all told with Rankin’s signature deadpan humor.
Absurdist Comedy with Heart
While Rankin’s previous film, The Twentieth Century, reveled in absurdity and historical satire, Universal Language is a bit softer and more reflective. The film explores themes of identity, diaspora, and belonging, but with a comedic twist that keeps things light. Think of it as a quirky love letter to a Canada that never existed—one where Tim Hortons is still a gathering spot, but the cultural fabric is woven from both Persian and French influences.
Rankin’s inspiration comes from a mix of filmmakers, including Abbas Kiarostami and Mohsen Makhmalbaf from Iran’s New Cinema, as well as Swedish absurdist Roy Andersson. Fans of Guy Maddin will also recognize some of Winnipeg’s distinctive flavor in the film. It’s a delightful mash-up of cultural influences, all filtered through Rankin’s unique lens.
Why You Should Watch It
Universal Language is perfect for anyone who loves offbeat, experimental films that blend comedy and drama. Rankin’s vision of a reimagined Canada is both playful and thoughtful, offering a fresh perspective on the complexities of cultural identity. It’s absurd, yes, but there’s also a real emotional core that explores what it means to belong, especially in a world that often feels fragmented.
The film’s blend of languages—Persian and French—adds another layer of depth, highlighting the importance of communication, connection, and the ways in which language can both unite and divide us. Plus, with Rankin’s sharp comedic sensibility and love for the absurd, you’re guaranteed a film that’s as funny as it is thought-provoking.
Showtimes at TIFF 2024
Catch Universal Language at TIFF 2024 during these showtimes:
- Thursday, September 5 – 12:15 pm (Scotiabank Theatre, Press & Industry)
- Tuesday, September 10 – 9:30 pm (TIFF Lightbox)
- Wednesday, September 11 – 6:15 pm (Scotiabank Theatre)
If you’re in the mood for something a little weird, a little wonderful, and totally original, Universal Language is the film for you. It’s a charming, eccentric journey into a world where the familiar meets the fantastical—and where loneliness and connection intertwine in surprising ways.
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