Canada Selects ‘Universal Language’ for Best International Feature at Oscars

Canada has officially selected Universal Language, directed by Matthew Rankin, as its contender for the Best International Feature category at the upcoming Academy Awards. This announcement, first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, follows the film’s recent triumph at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the audience prize for Best Film in the Directors’ Fortnight section, further solidifying its status as a critical favorite.

Universal Language is a unique cinematic experience, primarily in Farsi and French, and serves as a tribute to Iranian cinema. The film is set against the backdrop of the Canadian cities of Montreal and Winnipeg, where Rankin envisions a world where Farsi has become a dominant language, intertwining elements of cultural exchange and linguistic diversity.

Described as a blend of a personal diary, an absurd city symphony, and a reflection of the emotional landscape during times of confinement, Universal Language delves deep into the enigmatic spaces where individual identity intersects with the collective consciousness of the world. The film creates a dreamlike atmosphere, exploring themes of home, solitude, and human connection in a manner that is both surreal and deeply resonant.

In a statement shared by The Hollywood Reporter, director Matthew Rankin expressed his excitement and gratitude for the film’s selection to represent Canada at the Oscars. “We are amazed by this improbable selection and we will do our very best to represent Canada at the Oscars. Universal Language is an expression of very great collective joy between myself and my friends Pirouz Nemati, Ila Firouzabadi, Sylvain Corbeil, and all the beautiful and hilarious people who created this strange, triangle-shaped, Irano-Winnipego-Quebecois brain which became our film, beh naame doosti (in the Name of Friendship),” said Rankin.

The film features an impressive ensemble cast, including Rankin himself, alongside talents such as Rojina Esmaeili, Saba Vahedyousefi, Sobhan Javadi, Pirouz Nemati, Mani Soleymanlou, Danielle Fichaud, Bahram Nabatian, Ila Firouzabadi, Hemela Pourafzal, and Dara Najmabadi. The diversity and depth of the cast further enhance the film’s exploration of cultural and linguistic dynamics.

Universal Language is also set to make its North American premiere at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where it is anticipated to garner further acclaim. The film’s script was co-written by Rankin, Pirouz Nemati, and Ila Firouzabadi, with Sylvain Corbeil serving as the producer under the Metafilms banner. The film’s domestic distribution is handled by Maison 4:3, with international sales managed by Oscilloscope Laboratories.

As the film gears up for its journey to the Oscars, its selection not only highlights Canada’s diverse cinematic landscape but also underscores the universal themes of language, culture, and human connection that resonate with audiences worldwide.