Winner of the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight Audience Award, Matthew Rankin’s Universal Language has been described as one of the most surreal features in recent memory. It’s easy to see why after one look at the new trailer, which shows an exaggerated visual artistry and cinematic language similar to Wes Anderson.
The absurdist comedy presents a triptych of stories all written and directed by Rankin, who also plays one of the many oddball characters. Here’s the synopsis because it’s much easier than trying to describe:
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 through the monuments and historic sites of Winnipeg. Matthew quits his meaningless job in a Québecois government office and sets out upon an enigmatic journey to visit his mother. Space, time and personal identities crossfade, interweave and echo into a surreal comedy of misdirection.
Rojina Esmaeili, Saba Vahedyousefi, Sobhan Javadi, Pirouz Nemati, Mani Soleymanlou, and Danielle Fichaud star alongside Rankin.
Universal Language will open in theaters in February 2025 via Oscilloscope Laboratories.
