The quirky Canadian comedy “Universal Language” was named the winner of the Bright Horizons Award at the Melbourne International Film Festival on Saturday.
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Other top prizes went to the animated ecological fantasy film “Flow” by Latvian director Gints Zibalodis and to Jaydon Martin, the creator of the docu-fiction hybrid “Flathead.”
“It was such a thrill to witness the enthusiasm and sheer cinematic maximalism with which Melbourne audiences came to this year’s MIFF program. Across 280 films, we saw audiences join us to celebrate incredible new Australian films, discover the year’s cinematic highlights, explore uncharted corners of film history and meet over 130 guests and artists in attendance,” said MIFF Artistic Director Al Cossar.
Set in Winnipeg, whose beige tones echo the color schemes of Iran, “Universal Language” devises a new story that builds on the plots of several Iranian film classics. The film is directed by Matthew Rankin and premiered in the Directors' Fortnight section at Cannes this year.
