''The Universal Language'' (
Esperanto
Esperanto ( or ) is the world's most widely spoken constructed international auxiliary language. Created by the Warsaw-based ophthalmologist L. L. Zamenhof in 1887, it was intended to be a universal second language for international communi ...
: ''La Universala Lingvo'') is a 2011 short
documentary film
A documentary film or documentary is a non-fictional film, motion-picture intended to "document reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education or maintaining a Recorded history, historical record". Bill Nichols (film critic), Bil ...
on the
Esperanto
Esperanto ( or ) is the world's most widely spoken constructed international auxiliary language. Created by the Warsaw-based ophthalmologist L. L. Zamenhof in 1887, it was intended to be a universal second language for international communi ...
language and the movement around it. Using much archive footage from the language's early days, as well as interviews with Esperantists today, the film constructs a linear narrative of Esperanto's history and goals.
The film, directed by
Sam Green
Sam Green is an American documentary filmmaker. His most recent projects are “live documentaries” in which he narrates a film in-person while musicians perform a live soundtrack. His 2018 project ''A Thousand Thoughts'' features a live score ...
won the 2012
Ashland Independent Film Festival
The Ashland Independent Film Festival is held in Ashland, Oregon, United States. It has been organized by the non-profit Southern Oregon Film Society since 2001. Founded by D.W. and Steve Wood, the festival is held each spring over five days at th ...
award for Juried Best Short Documentary.
References
External links
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The Universal Language on Vimeo
2011 films
2011 short documentary films
Esperanto-language films
American short documentary films
Documentary films about words and language
Films directed by Sam Green
2010s English-language films
2010s American films
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