“Universal Language” (“Une langue universelle”) (2024). Cast: Matthew Rankin, Pirouz Namati, Sobhan Javadi, Sahar Mofidi, Rojina Esmaeili, Saba Vahedyousefi, Mani Soleymanlou, Danielle Fichaud, Dara Najmabadi, Ila Firouzabadi, Hemela Pourafzal. Director: Matthew Rankin. Screenplay: Ila Firouzabadi, Pirouz Namati and Matthew Rankin. Web site. Trailer.

Philosophers and metaphysicians are generally quick to agree that we’re all fundamentally connected, both to one another and to everything around us, that there’s a certain universality binding all there is in our existence. But how many of us actually take the time to truly recognize, consider and appreciate this or what makes this attainable? Maybe this calls for stepping away from our everyday world and immersing ourselves in some sort of alternate version of it to see the inherent connections from a fresh perspective, along with the nature of these links and the value that lies within them. That might sound like a profoundly daunting undertaking, yet need it be? Perhaps those goals can be accomplished through a simple, more accessible and inherently joyful means, a proposition raised and explored in the thoughtful and delightfully whimsical new gentle comedy, “Universal Language” (“Une langue universelle”).

Actor-writer-director Matthew Rankin’s second feature offering is one of those films that genuinely defies description, an absurdist fable of seemingly unrelated stories that ultimately tie together to illustrate the bonds that unite us and how we can put them to best use for our collective benefit and betterment. Set in an alternate version of Canada where the predominant language is Farsi and everyday life is characterized by a set of quirky, imaginative institutions, preferences and lifestyles, “Universal Language” serves up a collection of seemingly unrelated stories that ultimately tie together to illustrate the bonds that unite us and how we can put them to best use for our mutual benefit.

This triptych of tall tales tells the stories of a Quebec government worker (Rankin) who quits his job to return home to visit his long-estranged mother in Winnipeg; a part-time tour guide (Pirouz Nemati) who leads small bands of visitors on an often-puzzling excursion of mundane, unimpressive alleged tourist sites in Manitoba’s capital city; and a pair of concerned grade school classmates (Rojina Esmaeili, Saba Vahedyousefi) who try to secure funds to help a friend (Sobhan Javadi) replace his much-needed lost eyeglasses when they fall off and are quickly pilfered by a crafty. free-roaming wild turkey. The assistance these individuals freely offer to one another (and receive from them in kind) to get through the challenges of these bizarre circumstances, in turn, reveals the innate value in the unspoken “universal language” that binds all of us – our mutual compassion and support for each other, particularly those in need. Think of this as a reworking of the uplifting themes introduced in the inspiring, heartwarming drama “Pay It Forward” (2000) if it were directed by Federico Fellini or Monty Python.

What’s so impressive in this is seeing how easily and naturally these ideas come to the characters in the movie. It’s as if they never have to give these notions a second thought when the time comes for them to act on them. Their behavior flows from them effortlessly, no matter what the circumstances might require of them. Everybody wins. And isn’t that an enlightening way for us to look at how the world should function (especially in these self-serving times)?

Itʼs particularly appropriate to see all of this taking place in Canada, a nation widely known for its culture of politeness and friendship, a social structure that many would say could serve as a model for the rest of the world. It’s also quite fitting to see everything unfolding in the dead of winter, a backdrop that undoubtedly serves as a metaphor for what “a cold place” the world can often be, reminding us that kindness and compassion can be extended to others regardless of the conditions under which we might be operating.

Such are the bonds that truly can unite us – that is, provided we allow it. So what makes that possible (or keeps it from happening)? It fundamentally comes down to the choices that we make. Indeed, it’s all up to us. But what specifically does that require?

In the end, it’s a question rooted in our beliefs, and that’s important in light of the role they play in the manifestation of our existence, a product of the conscious creation process, the philosophy that makes this outcome possible, for better or worse and both individually and collectively. In making this happen, we’re always free to choose from an infinite range of options for what we ultimately decide to create, depending on the nature of the beliefs we embrace. Of course, a fundamental upfront awareness of these possibilities is imperative if we hope to get the results we desire, and a deficiency in this area could hinder us in realizing what we hope to manifest. This is why it’s so important to recognize the existence of this school of thought and to employ it skillfully when seeking to materialize what we’re looking for.

The society presented in this film gives us an excellent example to draw upon in terms of what’s achievable. The characters here have obviously chosen to willingly adopt beliefs centered on cooperation, compassion and mutual support, concepts that subsequently get put into practice to shape the nature of the society in which they live. Numerous incidents throughout the film illustrate these principles at work, and they generally do so with a touch of whimsy, showing us that being helpful to others need not be a chore. The actions of these characters indeed reflect the message of the aforementioned release “Pay It Forward,” where people intentionally engage in acts of kindness – often with total strangers – as a means to reshape the nature of society, a principle that transforms the long-accepted practice of “pay it back” into an entirely new and beneficial concept, one capable of revolutionizing society for the better and that taps into the intrinsic connections that are already in existence among us. And to think, all it takes to make that happen is a change in our attitude and the beliefs that underlie it.

“Universal Language” thus serves up a heartwarming, gentle yet insightful story that reminds us of our innate linkage and the goodwill that we’re all capable of unselfishly extending to one another when warranted, something that, ideally, should come to us as second nature, as it does for the characters in this film. And all of this is nestled into a wealth of hilarious, off-the-wall humor, regularly invoking unexpected laughs among audience members. Admittedly, the film’s opening act may seem somewhat disjointed and perhaps even a bit too idiosyncratic for its own good at times, but these issues gradually dissipate as the picture plays out and the pieces of its various story threads begin piecing themselves together, revealing the aforementioned intrinsic connections among us. This delightful indie gem has largely flown below the radar thus far, despite its awards, nominations and rave reception at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, as well as its designation as one of the National Board of Review’s Top 5 International Films of last year. Indeed, at a time when it seems like there’s so much dividing us, it’s gratifying to see a release like this, one that tenderly spotlights more of what binds us than what sets us apart. The film is available for streaming online.

Unity is something that most of us claim to seek, but, when push comes to shove, it frequently gets relegated to the back burner in favor of satisfying our own wants and needs. However, that’s hard to fathom when we look at just how easy it can be to realize that aforementioned dream. Changing our beliefs to change the outcome essentially doesn’t cost us anything other than a shift in our outlook, but failing to do so could cost us a lot more in the long run (and not necessarily of a material nature). At times like that, we may well find ourselves longing for assistance and support, commodities that might readily come to us if we had extended the same consideration to others in their times of need. The connections among us are there for a reason – to make those accommodations happen – and we shouldn’t hesitate to tap those resources when circumstances warrant. It’s often been said that “good deeds are their own reward” and that they can return big dividends – that is, provided we’re willing to invest in them in the first place.

Copyright © 2025, by Brent Marchant. All rights reserved.