MOVIE REVIEW
Universal Language (Une Langue Universelle)
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Genre: Drama
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 29m
Director(s): Matthew Rankin
Writer(s): Ila Firouzabadi, Pirouz Nemati, Matthew Rankin
Cast: Rojina Esmaeili, Saba Vahedyousefi, Sobhan Javadi, Pirouz Nemati, Matthew Rankin, Mani Soleymanlou, Danielle Fichaud, Bahram Nabatian, Ila Firouzabadi, Hemela Pourafzal, Dara Najmabadi
Language: Farsi and French with English subtitles
Where To Watch: showing at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: Set off on an extraordinary voyage with UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE, where director Matthew Rankin creates a magical yet grounded world. As the film unfolds, a seemingly ordinary find—a stash of money encased in ice—kicks off a sprawling tale that spans from Tehran to Winnipeg to Montreal. This exploration shows so many different worlds across so many borders. This simple discovery links the lives of young Negin (Rojina Esmaeili) and Nazgol (Saba Vahedyousefi) to Matthew (Matthew Rankin,) a man disillusioned with his tedious office job, propelling him toward a fresh start and into the presence of Massoud (Pirouz Nemati,) a charismatic tour guide navigating the historical mystique of Winnipeg.

At its core, UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE transforms everyday reality into a fantastical spectacle, portraying deep explorations of identity, belonging, and reality through a series of intertwined destinies. A standout story involves the complex challenge of retrieving a lost Iranian banknote, enriching the film’s intricate storytelling with themes of displacement and connection amid the backdrop of the ordinary and the surreal.

Rankin cleverly orchestrates the narrative, whose directorial style is like that of a true maestro of his craft, guiding a symphony of narrative threads with a specific focus. This approach shines brilliantly when Bahram Nabatian, cast as Hafez Ghamghosar, unexpectedly performs a piece of classical Persian poetry, elevating the scene's intensity to become a highlight of the film. Such moments of unscripted brilliance underline Rankin’s philosophy that the most compelling storytelling emerges from a blend of meticulous planning and spontaneous artistic expression.

Drawing from his rich history of personal and family experiences, Rankin imbues UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE with a heartfelt authenticity that resonates across cultural and geographic divides. The theme of discovering hidden treasures, inspired by his grandmother’s real-life experience, serves as both a narrative and symbolic cornerstone, enriching the film’s exploration of personal and collective histories. More often than not, I believe that a “real” story will always connect with its audience on a deeper level.

Rankin’s engagement with Iranian culture and their cinematic traditions deeply enriches the film, lending it a genuine authenticity beyond conventional storytelling. His insights into Iranian film help him craft a narrative that bridges diverse cultural perspectives, encouraging viewers to contemplate a broader, more inclusive worldview.

Rejecting traditional confines, the film advocates for a borderless experience that champions universal connection and shared human experiences. This visionary approach eschews linear storytelling for a more fluid, open-ended narrative that invites viewers to forge their interpretations through the film’s rich tapestry of characters and scenarios.

UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE compellingly invites us to explore the extraordinary within the seemingly ordinary. It encourages reflection on our interconnected world, making it an essential watch for those who value cinema that entertains, enlightens, and connects on a deeply human level.

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