The Universal Language (2011)
The Universal Language is a new documentary from Academy Award-nominated director Sam Green (The Weather Underground). This 30-minute film traces the history of Esperanto, an artificial language that was created in the late 1800s by a Polish eye doctor who believed that if everyone in the world spoke a common tongue, humanity could overcome racism and war. Fittingly, the word “Esperanto” means “one who hopes.” During the early 20th century, hundreds of thousands of people around the world spoke Esperanto and believed in its ideals. Today, surprisingly, a vibrant Esperanto movement still exists. In this first-ever documentary about Esperanto, Green creates a portrait of the language and those who speak it today that is at once humorous, poignant, stirring, and ultimately hopeful.
Director: Sam Green
| Directing | Sam Green | Director |
| Production | Sam Green | Producer |
| Crew | Andy Black | Cinematography |
| Editing | Sam Green | Editor |
| Writing | Shannon Kennedy | Writer |
| Editing | Shannon Kennedy | Editor |
| Writing | Sam Green | Writer |
| Sound | Huntley | Location Sound Recordist |
| Production | John Fong | Production Assistant |
| Crew | Don Loeb | Thanks |
| Sound | T. Griffin | Original Music Composer |
| Editing | Paul Hill | Online Editor |
| Art | Carl Williamson | Graphic Designer |
| Editing | Jeffrey Boyette | Online Editor |
| Sound | Dennis Cronin | Original Music Composer |
| Sound | Ronald van der Spek | Location Sound Recordist |
| Art | Chad Freidrichs | Graphic Designer |
| Crew | Mark Decena | Thanks |
| Production | Arwen Curry | Production Assistant |
| Art | Cooper Miller | Graphic Designer |
| Crew | Luisa Rund | Thanks |
| Production | James Blake | Production Assistant |
| Production | Caroline Gelb | Production Assistant |
| Camera | Rob Humphreys | Additional Camera |
| Production | Martin Tay | Production Assistant |
| Crew | Daniel Salomon | Thanks |
| Editing | Ayumi Ashley | Colorist |
| Art | Mark Christiansen | Graphic Designer |
| Camera | Colin Blackshear | Additional Camera |
| Production | Daniel Agostino | Production Assistant |
| Crew | Daniel Cuthbert | Thanks |
| Editing | William Lehman | Online Editor |
| Crew | Catherine Galasso | Thanks |
| Art | Rodney Ascher | Graphic Designer |
| Sound | Catherine McRae | Original Music Composer |
| Crew | Chris Martin | Telecine Colorist |
| Production | Carrie Lozano | Producer |
