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Universal Language

Synopsis

We are delighted to share a fascinating and insightful interview with Dune director Denis Villeneuve, having a 'chat' with the director of Universal Language, Matthew Rankin, on screen following the screening on Thursday, May 22. Villeneuve considers Universal Language " by far one of the best and original films he has seen this year."

Space, time and personal identities crossfade, interweave and echo into a surreal comedy of misdirection.

Matthew Rankin’s absurdist triptych UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE was the winner of major awards at Cannes, Toronto, and Melbourne Film Festivals!

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. Two grade-schoolers find a sum of money frozen in the winter ice and try to claim it. Meanwhile, tour guide Massoud (Pirouz Nemati) leads a group of increasingly befuddled tourists through the monuments and historic sites of Winnipeg.
Meanwhile, Matthew (played by director Matthew Rankin) quits his meaningless job in a Québecois government office and sets out upon an enigmatic journey to visit his mother. As each of these stories unfold, space, time and personal identities crossfade, interweave and echo into a surreal comedy of misdirection.

"One of the most exciting directors working today, with his unique visual style and penchant for challenging narrative conventions, indicating a bright future as a filmmaker… A tremendously captivating comedy." International Cinephile Society
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