Universal Language
Description
Matthew Rankin's delightfully offbeat comedy manages to say something profound and moving about culture and community with one simple but radical idea: what if Persian were the first language of a stylised but still drolly recognisable Winnipeg?
From the sclerotic schoolteacher who despairs at the stupidity of his students, to the forlorn ex-bureaucrat (Rankin himself) travelling to see his mother to the guide bringing bedraggled groups of tourists around the grey and beige "sights" of the city, the stories of the friends, enemies, strangers, shopkeepers and neighbours of this Wes Anderson-style ensemble are loosely arranged around the mission of two young girls to find a way to claim an unexpected windfall: a banknote just visible beneath the frozen surface of a slippery expanse of rock-hard, Canadian-winter lake ice.
The hidden gem that is Universal Language feels like just such a wonderful discovery.
About The Host
Upcoming events at Queen’s Film Theatre – QFT
Mark Kermode Film Night Presents – Slade in Flame
Film critic, broadcaster and journalist Mark Kermode returns to Cinemagic for his annual Film Night to introduce and…
Universal Language
Matthew Rankin's delightfully offbeat comedy manages to say something profound and moving about culture and community
Competition Shorts: Programme One
Enjoy these 3 short films as part of the competition shorts for Belfast Film Festival.
Competition Shorts: Programme Two
Enjoy these 3 short films as part of the competition shorts for Belfast Film Festival.