
Universal Language (2024)
Comedy, Drama
Winter. Somewhere between Tehran and Winnipeg. Negin and Nazgol find a sum of money frozen deep within the sidewalk ice and try to find a way to get it out. Massoud leads a group of befuddled tourists upon an increasingly-strange walking tour of Winnipeg historic sites. Matthew leaves his job at the Québec government and embarks upon a mysterious journey to visit his estranged mother.
Director: Matthew Rankin
Writer: Matthew Rankin
The Cast

Rojina Esmaeili
Negin

Saba Vahedyousefi
Nazgol

Matthew Rankin
Matthew (Massoud)

Pirouz Nemati
Massoud (Matthew)

Mani Soleymanlou
Iraj Bilodeau

Ila Firouzabadi
Bus Driver

Sobhan Javadi
Omid

Danielle Fichaud
Monsieur Castonguay

Bahram Nabatian
Hafez Ghamghosar

Hemela Pourafzal
Woman with Turkey

Dara Najmabadi
Pirouz

Denis Houle
Jean

Amir Amiri
Musician 1

Faraz Anoushahpour
Tourist 3

Bernard Arène
Pharmacist

Gilnaz Arzpeyma
Samovar technician

Asinnajaq
Knitter

Baharan BaniAhmadi
Miss Zardooz

Sarianne Cormier
Ticket Agent

Sahar Mofidi
Lacrimologist

Zhila Naghibzadeh
Tourist 1

Nima Pourtolami
Birthday cake salesman

Ramin S. Khanjani
Bingo mistress

Mohammad Salari

Annie St-Pierre
Jeanne and Réjeanne Suissûr

Aonan Yang
Aonan Yang

Nora Zarkandi
Videos
- Q&A with Matthew Rankin | TIFF 2025
- Iranian Cinema Inspired Matthew Rankin’s UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE | TIFF 2024
- Canadian Spot
- Denis Villeneuve interviews Matthew Rankin - Universal Language
- UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE (UNE LANGUE UNIVERSELLE) Conversation at AFI FEST presented by Canva
- Matthew Rankin, Ila Firouzabadi, Pirouz Nemati & More on Universal Language
- Matthew Rankin on the raw, personal story of UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
- Oscars 2025: UNE LANGUE UNIVERSELLE representing Canada
- Official U.S. Trailer [Subtitled]
- Matthew Rankin's Universal Language at Cannes 2024
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