As a gamer who has traversed countless virtual worlds and immersed myself in a myriad of narratives, I find Matthew Rankin’s “Universal Language” to be a captivating exploration that resonates deeply with my passion for storytelling and cross-cultural experiences. The film’s unique blend of reality and illusion, its intricate layers of meaning, and its tribute to Iranian cinema echo the very essence of what makes gaming so compelling – the immersion into alternate realities and the exploration of complex narratives that transcend geographical boundaries.
Matthew Rankin’s second film, titled “Universal Language“, undeniably shares the whimsical flair with fellow Winnipeg director Guy Maddin, as seen in his works like “The Saddest Music in the World” and “Rumours“. However, its intricate and layered narrative, designed to pay tribute to the Iranian cinema he admires, can be a bit complex to describe.
As a fervent admirer, when someone asks me to explain the essence of ‘Universal Language’, I can’t help but echo Groucho Marx’s wit: “It’s approximately 89 minutes long.
Regarding this project, the Montreal director says, “I’d characterize it as a personal dreamscape. It represents my hometown, yet it doesn’t. It explores Iranian cinema, yet it deviates from that too.
Film creators from Iran, who have mastered blending reality with surreality as a means of circumventing censorship under a repressive Iranian government, serve as an inspiring blueprint for Rankin in his relentless pursuit of illusion-crafting.
The pattern and layout of the hypothetical Universal Language, in which Persian and French are depicted as Canada’s dual official languages, is heavily influenced by Rankin’s perception of Tehran, shaped by his hometown of Winnipeg. Here, he hints at a Venn diagram, illustrating connections between multiple entities through intersecting circles.
Rankin clarifies that the story isn’t specifically about Iran or even its capital Tehran. However, the same unusual connections apply to cities like Winnipeg and Montreal in the humorous narrative as well.
As a dedicated fan, I’d like to share an intriguing cinematic twist by Rankin: he reimagines a quintessential Canadian Tim Hortons as an Arabic tea lounge in his work, Universal Language. The location is adorned with Farsi signage, and instead of coffee and donuts, there are samovars, tiny glasses for tea, and a young woman, savoring her tea while holding a sugar cube between her teeth as it dissolves. Quite an imaginative reinterpretation, wouldn’t you agree?
But, of course, it is Tim Hortons. So Rankin’s nod to Persian cinema includes a diorama on the wall depicting the life and tragic death of NHL legend Tim Horton. “And they’re hoisting a Stanley samovar,” or a Stanley Cup in the shape of a giant samovar, he adds.
In the movie “Universal Language,” premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, chickens leave footprints in snow during a Canadian winter, two students attempt to retrieve a 500-rial bill from frozen ice, and Winnipeg, Rankin’s hometown, is transformed into an otherwise dull blend of various cultures. In this film, Rankin portrays a Montreal bureaucrat who speaks Farsi, and returns to Winnipeg to visit his mother, but finds that his family has changed dramatically beyond recognition.
Rankin describes these areas as seemingly separate entities, yet in the cinematic universe portrayed, they’ve been blended uniquely to form an uncommon combination.
This year, his movie, which won the inaugural audience award at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, utilized locals who spoke Farsi fluently from the Iranian-Canadian community as cast members. The majority of these individuals are debut actors, bringing their unique and humorous Persian perspective to their roles.
Rankin points out that when someone narrates a story, they possess a knack for pacing, wit, and flair for the dramatic. If you craft a role that suits their style and personality, they’ll undoubtedly excel, as you’re essentially positioning them for success.
Universal Language will have its North American premiere on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at Bell Lightbox.
Read More
- BODEN PREDICTION. BODEN cryptocurrency
- GHST PREDICTION. GHST cryptocurrency
- BETA PREDICTION. BETA cryptocurrency
- STRD PREDICTION. STRD cryptocurrency
- Mango Markets Exploiter Found Guilty Of Fraud And Manipulation
- GBP EUR PREDICTION
- MATIC PREDICTION. MATIC cryptocurrency
- LOOKS PREDICTION. LOOKS cryptocurrency
- BRN/USD
- TNSR PREDICTION. TNSR cryptocurrency
2024-09-08 16:54