In a mysterious and surreal interzone somewhere between Tehran and Winnipeg, the lives of multiple characters interweave with each other in surprising and mysterious ways. Grade schoolers Negin and Nazgol find a sum of money frozen in the winter ice and try to claim it. Meanwhile, Massoud leads a group of increasingly-befuddled tourists through the monuments and historic sites of Winnipeg. Matthew quits his meaningless job in a Québecois government office and sets out upon an enigmatic journey to visit his mother. Space, time and personal identities crossfade, interweave and echo into a surreal comedy of misdirection. Universal Language is a 2024 Canadian absurdist comedy-drama film, co-written and directed by Matthew Rankin. The film had its world premiere in the Directors’ Fortnight section at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and became one of the most talked about films in Cannes.