Universal Language Review

“What on earth are you going to write about this one?” (Janet)

“God knows.” (Gayle)

We attended a preview screening of the Canadian Oscar entry for Best International Film on Saturday morning at the invitation of Luna Cinemas.

Matthew Rankin directs and stars with an all Iranian cast in this award winning feature as, er, Matthew. Turns out it’s somehow quasi-autobiographical.

We were left with many questions once the credits rolled.

Why is that man walking around dressed as a Christmas tree?

It’s 2019 and someone is still peddling typewriters?

Why are there turkeys everywhere?

How do people live like this?!

It might all reveal itself once translated.

Universal Language is an absurdly funny, satirical surreal film that transposes Persian culture on the unassuming Canadian city of Winnipeg. You have brutal, monolithic, near windowless buildings in beige, brown, and grey. Advertising signage is in Farsi script with a strange blend of ’60s and 90’s media and posh locals speak French. Best illustrated by their Tim Horton’s, a must visit if you ever venture out there. I hear the view of the highway is very relaxing. Enjoy the tea with your donut.

Everyone there is warm but savvy. Strangers can be quick to help and embrace you deeply as a friend. Enter a flower shop but keep your voice down or they’ll wilt. Leave it holding someone else’s nuts so your mother doesn’t worry about you. If you’re not careful, your glasses will be stolen by turkeys.

There are many sights to behold in this bleak frozen wonderland. We follow protagonists walking parallel from the camera, Wes Anderson blended with Iranian cinema, and often see close ups below chin height as if from the view of a child. Cars are king. A memorial underneath the junction of Los Angeles-esque overpasses with ceaseless traffic roaring overhead. An abandoned suitcase on a bench that’s now a UNESCO heritage site. Who exactly is the man with the ridiculous large pink earmuffs?

There’s so much more but I won’t spoil it for you.

Some members of the audience seemed to leave without coming back. Everyone else who stayed was rewarded with plenty of laughs and concepts to ponder over.

The more I reflect on it, the more I am impressed.

10/10

Universal Languages is showing in an exclusive season starting at Luna Leederville on 22 May 2025.

By Gayle O’Leary. If you’d like to catch up on more by Gayle here on Fremantle Shipping News, look right here!

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