Film Screening of “Universal Language” moderated by film critic Mashid Bozorgnia

Community Night with the Library

The Carmel Public Library Foundation presents The Power of Language

Film Screening of “Universal Language” moderated by film critic Mashid Bozorgnia

Join us for a thought-provoking evening featuring Universal Language, an absurdist and visually inventive film by acclaimed Canadian director Matthew Rankin. Set in a surreal version of Winnipeg where Persian and French have replaced English, the film weaves together three loosely connected stories that explore identity, displacement, and the strange power of communication. With its blend of deadpan humor, poetic imagery, and subtle cultural commentary, Universal Language challenges audiences to consider how language shapes not just what we say—but how we live, belong, and understand one another. Film critic Mashid Bozorgnia will introduce the film and lead a short Q&A session following the screening, offering insights into Rankin’s distinctive style and the film’s place within global cinema.

Mahshid Bozorgnia is a respected film critic and researcher with a career spanning over three decades. She has written for major film magazines in Iran and been a contributor to several cinematic books, including World Cinema Encyclopedia. As a commentator for VOA and BBC Persian services, she is known for her influential research on women’s representation in Iranian cinema. She is also the founder of Documentary Voices, a nonprofit dedicated to documentary filmmaking and social awareness.