The movie A universal language by Canadian director Matthew Rankin is one of 15 feature films that were included in the short list of finalists for the Oscar for best international film, the Academy announced Tuesday.
Presented as a world premiere at the Quinzaine des Cinéastes in Cannes last May and awarded the Audience Award, A universal language has since enjoyed a glittering career with 90 festival selections and a haul of 15 awards, including that of best Canadian discovery at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
A universal language is the second feature film by Matthew Rankin, a filmmaker originally from Winnipeg and now residing in Montreal. The film tells three stories set in an alternate reality in which Manitobans speak mainly Persian and try to preserve the vestiges of a French-speaking minority.
Co-written by Pirouz Nemati, Ila Firouzabadi and Matthew Rankin, it stars the filmmaker himself as well as Mani Soleymanlou, Danielle Fichaud, Rojina Esmaeili, Saba Vahedyousefi and Sobhan Javadi. The film will be released on January 31 in Montreal and February 7 throughout Quebec.
Other films still in the running for the Oscar for Best International Film include Emilia Perez by Jacques Audiard (France), I’m still here by Walter Salles (Brazil), Vermilion by Maura Delpero (Italy) and From Ground Zeroan anthology of short films made by 22 Palestinian filmmakers.
Dune, part two nominated for the Oscar for best visual effects
The Academy also unveiled the short lists in nine other categories on Tuesday, including best visual effects. Dune, part two by Denis Villeneuve is one of the 10 finalists, alongside films like Alien : Romulus, Deadpool et Wolverine, Gladiator II et Wicked.
Dune, part two is also in the running for the Oscar for Best Sound and the Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
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The movie Dune: Part Two was released on February 28.
Photo: Courtesy of Warner
Another Canadian film, Maybe Elephants (Maybe elephants) by Torill Kove, is in the running in the category of best animated short film.
The final list of nominated films will be revealed on January 17. Remember that American comedian Conan O’Brien will host the 97th Academy Awards, which will be held on March 2 in Hollywood. The evening will be broadcast on ABC as well as on the streaming platform Hulu.
