Canada’s Oscar Entry ‘Universal Language’ Directed by Matthew Rankin Sells Widely for Best Friend Forever (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned cinema devotee with a penchant for international films and a soft spot for quirky comedies, I am thrilled to hear about the global success of “Universal Language.” Having watched and admired Matthew Rankin’s previous works, particularly “The Twentieth Century,” I eagerly await the opportunity to immerse myself in this reimagined Canada. The fact that it has been acquired by distributors in most major territories is a testament to its universal appeal.


The critically praised film “Universal Language,” Canada’s submission for the Oscars and directed by Matthew Rankin, has been picked up by distributors in numerous significant regions before its debuts at the Toronto and New York Film Festivals in North America.

The globally recognized film “Universal Language,” produced by Brussels-based company Best Friend Forever, had its first showing at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight and received the initial People’s Choice Award. After stops in Toronto and New York, this movie will be screened next at Fantastic Fest and Festival du Nouveau Cinema as the opening film. Additionally, “Universal Language” was honored with the Best Film Award at the Melbourne International Film Festival under the Bright Horizons category.

“The rights to ‘Universal Language’ have been acquired for various countries: France (Météore Films), Scandinavia (Njutafilms), Germany and Austria (Rapid Eye Movies), Switzerland (Outside The Box), Spain (Filmin), Portugal (Nitrato Filmes), Central & Eastern Europe (Universal Distribution), Japan (The Klockworx), China (DDDream), Taiwan (Hooray Films), Brazil (Belas Artes Grupo), Indonesia (Falcon Pictures) and India (Big Tree Entertainment). Negotiations are ongoing for Benelux, the UK, and Australia, as well as other territories. In the U.S., Oscilloscope Laboratories will release the film, while Maison 4:3 will handle it in Canada.”

The movie, serving as a sequel to Rankin’s acclaimed surreal film “The Twentieth Century,” is a comedic production set in an alternate Canada where Persian and French are the primary official languages. It narrates the tales of various characters such as schoolchildren Negin and Nazgol who discover a sum of money trapped in winter ice and strive to lay claim to it. At the same time, Massoud guides a band of progressively puzzled tourists through Winnipeg’s landmarks and historical sites. Matthew decides to abandon his monotonous job in a Quebec government office and embarks on an enigmatic pilgrimage to see his mother.

The film titled “Universal Language” was created by Sylvain Corbeil at Metafilms, a prominent Canadian production company known for movies directed by Xavier Dolan, including “The Nature of Love,” “Falcon Lake,” and “Felix and Meira.” Oscilloscope Labs serve as the executive producers.

In 2020, “The Twentieth Century” received the Berlinale Fipresci Award and the Best Canadian debut award at TIFF Midnight Madness. Meanwhile, the short film “The Tesla World Light,” released in 2017, made its debut in Cannes Critic’s Week.

The upcoming fall lineup from Best Friend Forever features some highly anticipated premieres, starting with Marie Losier’s documentary “Peaches goes Bananas,” debuting at Venice Days and marking its world premiere. Additionally, Min Bahadur Bham’s award-winning film “Shambhala” will also make its world debut. Other premieres include the action-packed romantic comedy “Zenithal” by Jean Baptiste Saurel, as well as a sequel to “Mother Schmuckers,” titled “Heads or Fails,” which is set to play at Austin Fantastic Fest, following in the footsteps of its predecessor.

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2024-08-29 14:17