Friday on My Mind: Fantasia International Film Festival pays tribute to MusiquePlus
Friday on My Mind is a highly subjective, curated rundown of five of the cooler things happening in Montreal during the weekend.
Les années MusiquePlus: Ces artistes qui ont débuté avec le vidéoclip
Saturday at 2 p.m. at Reggies, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W.
If you were watching MusiquePlus in the second half of the '80s — and we all were! — then you surely saw the video for Yves Jacques's punky new-wave ditty On ne peut pas tous être pauvre. It's a totally hilarious kitsch videoclip in which Jacques plays a spoiled rich kid whose daddy is always buying new Jaguars and whose mommy has a pink fridge, washer-dryer and washing machine. It is generally recognized as the first Québécois music video.
During a chat in a Plateau-Mont-Royal park on Wednesday afternoon, Jacques said his lyrics were actually pretty autobiographical. He was basically spoofing his own family. The whole adventure was a bit of a lark for Jacques. He'd been in a retro '50s rockabilly band in Quebec City called Slick and the Outlags, and that morphed into his very brief new-wave project.
'I was really influenced by XTC's Making Plans for Nigel,' said Jacques.
Jacques was already an actor, and he soon left music behind and ended up becoming one of French Canada's best-known thespians. He's often in major theatre productions here and has starred in a slew of films, most notably Denys Arcand's Le déclin de l'empire américain and Les invasions barbares.
Made in 1981, the video for On ne peut pas tous être pauvre only really came to the public's attention after MusiquePlus came on the air in 1986 and began playing it fairly regularly. MusiquePlus had only 24 Québécois videos when the station opened its doors!
Jacques will be taking part in a free event at the Fantasia International Film Festival on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Reggies in Concordia's Hall Building. Many of the directors of those early Quebec videoclips will be on hand for Les années MusiquePlus: Ces artistes qui ont débuté avec le vidéoclip. In addition to Jacques, directors there to talk about their videos will include Gabriel Pelletier, Alain Desrochers, George Mihalka and Chloé Robichaud; in 2011, the latter directed a new version of On ne peut pas tous être pauvre for the band Les Incendiaires (with Jacques making a cameo appearance in the video). MusiquePlus co-founder Pierre Marchand will also be there.
Marc Lamothe, the Fantasia programmer who came up with the idea for the event, noted that it was an important moment for Quebec cinema. There were all these young filmmakers coming out of film school — mostly from Concordia — and they didn't have enough money to make short films, since you still had to shoot on 35mm film back then. So they turned to making music videos to get a foot in the industry. Even Denis Villeneuve of Dune fame made a few videoclips at the time. They made videos for artists like Sass Jordan, the Box, Vilain Pingouin, Richard Séguin and Groovy Aardvark.
'They hoped to do enough music videos to then go to the advertising companies and say: 'Look what we can do with no money; imagine if we had money!'' said Lamothe. 'It was a whole generation of filmmakers not big enough to make films and they wanted to showcase their talent. This is why there are so many cinematic elements in our music videos. They were not advertisers making music videos like in the States. They were filmmakers making music videos. They have the look of films. Everything in Quebec is different, and our music videos are not American.
'It was a new generation of filmmakers who all became big in the movie business. Érik Canuel. Lyne Charlebois. Alain Desrochers. George Mihalka. These are all people who became something because of music videos.'
Jacques has had a fine career as an actor since his brief moment of music-video stardom, but I had to ask him if he regretted leaving music behind.
He doesn't. But he still loves singing and belts out songs whenever the opportunity arises, whether it's on the hit musical TV show En direct de l'univers or at charity events.
Just for Laughs
Is there such a thing as festival fatigue? Apparently not in Montreal, where at least one major festival kicks off every single weekend in summer.
For those tired of politically correct humour, maybe the Just for Laughs fest's Nasty Show is where you need to be this weekend. It's on Friday and Saturday at Club Soda and Sunday at Le Studio TD, with Toronto standup comic Che Durena hosting.
Samedis pour emporter
Saturday at 7 p.m. at Parc de la Petite-Italie, Clark and St-Zotique Sts.
Montreal singer-songwriter David Bujold performs his folky/slacker tunes; you bring a picnic and hang out. Local food merchants will be selling their wares if you don't feel like packing a picnic.
Nuits d'Afrique
All weekend at various venues
This is the final weekend for Nuits d'Afrique, and the good news is there are free shows through Sunday at Esplanade Tranquille, near Clark and Ste-Catherine Sts.
Why not check out Lydol there Friday at 7 p.m.? She's a critically acclaimed slam poet and singer-songwriter from Cameroon.
Cola
Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at Toscadura, 4388 St-Laurent Blvd.
You loved Ought, right? They were that fine indie Montreal band that delivered one absolute masterpiece, 2014's More Than Any Other Day, and then never fully matched that moment of sheer genius, disbanding in 2021.
Two of Ought's members — singer-guitarist Tim Darcy and bassist Ben Stidworthy — are in the trio Cola, along with drummer Evan Cartwright from U.S. Girls. Yes, Cola is Ought-ish and yes, they're great. Think angst-ridden, post-punky angular guitar anthems. Or maybe just don't think and soak up the discordant sound.
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Montreal Gazette
23-07-2025
- Montreal Gazette
Brownstein: Fantasia film fest celebrates veteran Montreal director George Mihalka for blazing his own trail
Veteran Montreal director George Mihalka gets his proper due after 45 years in the business. Finally. The Fantasia International Film Festival will present Mihalka with its Canadian Trailblazer Award, Friday at 6 p.m. at Cinéma du Musée, followed by a screening of his film Hostile Takeover. The fest will also screen another of his more memorable movies, Pinball Summer, followed by a Q&A with the director, Sunday at 4:05 p.m. at the same venue. And earlier that afternoon, at 2 p.m., Mihalka will deliver a Fantasia master class at Reggies in Concordia's Hall Building. While Fantasia may be renowned for delving into all aspects of genre film over the course of its 29 years, the festival, much to its credit, has also paid homage to unsung heroes on the local film scene. In recent years, it has given tributes to the likes of legendary Cinépix producers John Dunning and André Link, directors Larry Kent and Gerald Potterton, and the gonzo filmmaking gang of Allan (Bozo) Moyle, Stephen Lack, Frank Vitale and Peter Brawley. Mihalka is, without question, a pioneer on the film front. He has tackled every genre imaginable, from horror to hockey, comedy to crime and then some — in both French and English. Pretty remarkable since he spoke neither language before immigrating here from Hungary when he was just eight. The film for which Mihalka is probably best known is the slasher epic My Bloody Valentine, produced by Dunning and Link. That was 45 years ago, when Mihalka was but 27. Had Fantasia been in existence back then, its artistic director Mitch Davis would have certainly had the film kick off the fest. No less than Quentin Tarantino has acknowledged that My Bloody Valentine is his personal fave in the slasher field. But don't let the film's content fool you about its maker. There is little foreboding about Mihalka, 72 — far more teddy bear than terrifying and one of the nicest people in the biz. He has been spending equal time in Montreal and Hamilton these days, the latter so he can be closer to his daughter and work in Toronto. 'There has been no real formula for me. I just love making films and I don't like making the same one over and over again,' says the ever-affable Mihalka over a few brews at Ziggy's. 'I don't think I have a film canon, per se.' Not so sure. By his own estimate, Mihalka has directed over two dozen film and TV features and over 100 TV episodes, in nearly equal parts French and English. And talk about being all over the map. Apart from the aforementioned, there's Race to Mars, La Florida, Omertà, Les Boys IV, Dr. Lucille: The Lucille Teasdale Story, Scandale, Scoop, Bullet to Beijing, Eternal Evil. And Mihalka has just completed one of his most ambitious and expensive productions yet: Rise of the Raven, a 10-part miniseries shot in Hungary for ex-Montreal producer Robert Lantos. The first two hour-long episodes will première at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, and the series will stream on CBC Gem soon after. 'It's the story about the guy who is responsible for why church bells ring at noon everywhere in the world,' elaborates Mihalka, who also co-created and executive-produced the project. Mihalka laments that the local film scene, particularly on the anglo side, has suffered. 'Montreal was such a great place for making movies. It's so unfortunate that things have dried up here. I would love to come back here to make a movie in French and follow it up with one in English, the way I used to do like clockwork. I so miss that, straddling both worlds,' he says. 'But when tax credits became much more important, we became prisoners of our postal code here.' In other words, far more work beckoned in Toronto. On that note, Mihalka points out that he and his partner Susan Curran are in the midst of making a documentary on the Cinépix duo of Link and the late Dunning, who made hugely successful films the old-fashioned way — without being completely at the mercy of tax shelters for financing. 'I really have to thank those two for my career. They made movies to put bums in seats. We had a golden age of crowd-pleaser films back then which could not only entertain people, but also support an industry. As Link used to say: 'Not too many people in the industry liked us, because we made money and that wasn't the Canadian way,'' Mihalka laughs. 'The pendulum has swung, and I think it has swung a little too far toward the auteur cinema of personal films. As famed producer Samuel Goldwyn once put it: 'If you want to send a message, use Western Union.'' Which is not to say Mihalka hasn't tackled more provocative fare over the years, but he has always focused on keeping audiences captivated at the same time. 'Nothing wrong with making movies about your own or someone else's trauma. We need Mike Leigh movies as much as we need Tarantino movies. I have never thought entertaining was the opposite of intelligent. You can have a smart movie that entertains. That's been my goal all my working life. Just because I don't furrow my brow while directing doesn't mean I can't be deep,' he muses before adding: 'I'm not at all interested in retiring, either. I'm still ready to rumble for this craft.'
Montreal Gazette
18-07-2025
- Montreal Gazette
Friday on My Mind: Fantasia International Film Festival pays tribute to MusiquePlus
By Friday on My Mind is a highly subjective, curated rundown of five of the cooler things happening in Montreal during the weekend. Les années MusiquePlus: Ces artistes qui ont débuté avec le vidéoclip Saturday at 2 p.m. at Reggies, 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W. If you were watching MusiquePlus in the second half of the '80s — and we all were! — then you surely saw the video for Yves Jacques's punky new-wave ditty On ne peut pas tous être pauvre. It's a totally hilarious kitsch videoclip in which Jacques plays a spoiled rich kid whose daddy is always buying new Jaguars and whose mommy has a pink fridge, washer-dryer and washing machine. It is generally recognized as the first Québécois music video. During a chat in a Plateau-Mont-Royal park on Wednesday afternoon, Jacques said his lyrics were actually pretty autobiographical. He was basically spoofing his own family. The whole adventure was a bit of a lark for Jacques. He'd been in a retro '50s rockabilly band in Quebec City called Slick and the Outlags, and that morphed into his very brief new-wave project. 'I was really influenced by XTC's Making Plans for Nigel,' said Jacques. Jacques was already an actor, and he soon left music behind and ended up becoming one of French Canada's best-known thespians. He's often in major theatre productions here and has starred in a slew of films, most notably Denys Arcand's Le déclin de l'empire américain and Les invasions barbares. Made in 1981, the video for On ne peut pas tous être pauvre only really came to the public's attention after MusiquePlus came on the air in 1986 and began playing it fairly regularly. MusiquePlus had only 24 Québécois videos when the station opened its doors! Jacques will be taking part in a free event at the Fantasia International Film Festival on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Reggies in Concordia's Hall Building. Many of the directors of those early Quebec videoclips will be on hand for Les années MusiquePlus: Ces artistes qui ont débuté avec le vidéoclip. In addition to Jacques, directors there to talk about their videos will include Gabriel Pelletier, Alain Desrochers, George Mihalka and Chloé Robichaud; in 2011, the latter directed a new version of On ne peut pas tous être pauvre for the band Les Incendiaires (with Jacques making a cameo appearance in the video). MusiquePlus co-founder Pierre Marchand will also be there. Marc Lamothe, the Fantasia programmer who came up with the idea for the event, noted that it was an important moment for Quebec cinema. There were all these young filmmakers coming out of film school — mostly from Concordia — and they didn't have enough money to make short films, since you still had to shoot on 35mm film back then. So they turned to making music videos to get a foot in the industry. Even Denis Villeneuve of Dune fame made a few videoclips at the time. They made videos for artists like Sass Jordan, the Box, Vilain Pingouin, Richard Séguin and Groovy Aardvark. 'They hoped to do enough music videos to then go to the advertising companies and say: 'Look what we can do with no money; imagine if we had money!'' said Lamothe. 'It was a whole generation of filmmakers not big enough to make films and they wanted to showcase their talent. This is why there are so many cinematic elements in our music videos. They were not advertisers making music videos like in the States. They were filmmakers making music videos. They have the look of films. Everything in Quebec is different, and our music videos are not American. 'It was a new generation of filmmakers who all became big in the movie business. Érik Canuel. Lyne Charlebois. Alain Desrochers. George Mihalka. These are all people who became something because of music videos.' Jacques has had a fine career as an actor since his brief moment of music-video stardom, but I had to ask him if he regretted leaving music behind. He doesn't. But he still loves singing and belts out songs whenever the opportunity arises, whether it's on the hit musical TV show En direct de l'univers or at charity events. Just for Laughs Is there such a thing as festival fatigue? Apparently not in Montreal, where at least one major festival kicks off every single weekend in summer. For those tired of politically correct humour, maybe the Just for Laughs fest's Nasty Show is where you need to be this weekend. It's on Friday and Saturday at Club Soda and Sunday at Le Studio TD, with Toronto standup comic Che Durena hosting. Samedis pour emporter Saturday at 7 p.m. at Parc de la Petite-Italie, Clark and St-Zotique Sts. Montreal singer-songwriter David Bujold performs his folky/slacker tunes; you bring a picnic and hang out. Local food merchants will be selling their wares if you don't feel like packing a picnic. Nuits d'Afrique All weekend at various venues This is the final weekend for Nuits d'Afrique, and the good news is there are free shows through Sunday at Esplanade Tranquille, near Clark and Ste-Catherine Sts. Why not check out Lydol there Friday at 7 p.m.? She's a critically acclaimed slam poet and singer-songwriter from Cameroon. Cola Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at Toscadura, 4388 St-Laurent Blvd. You loved Ought, right? They were that fine indie Montreal band that delivered one absolute masterpiece, 2014's More Than Any Other Day, and then never fully matched that moment of sheer genius, disbanding in 2021. Two of Ought's members — singer-guitarist Tim Darcy and bassist Ben Stidworthy — are in the trio Cola, along with drummer Evan Cartwright from U.S. Girls. Yes, Cola is Ought-ish and yes, they're great. Think angst-ridden, post-punky angular guitar anthems. Or maybe just don't think and soak up the discordant sound.
Toronto Sun
17-07-2025
- Toronto Sun
Where to eat in Vancouver: A restaurant guide for tourists
Here's a quick list for satisfying various wants and wishes, whether it's for iconic locations, a taste of what's local or a good deal Get an up close and personal view of Vancouver's best features at Mika. Photo by Mark Yammine Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. If you're visiting Vancouver this summer, or have friends or family who are, here's a quickie list for satisfying various wants and wishes, whether it's for iconic locations, a taste of what's local, a good deal, or the best of the best. We wouldn't want you to leave disappointed. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account READ MORE:Summer in Vancouver: 15 of the best activities that define the city 269 Powell St., Vancouver Consistently ranked as one of Canada's best. Upscale Québécois and French food from a Michelin-starred chef whose dishes are technical knockouts. It's in a rough part of town so catch a cab or Uber. Salmon n' Bannock 1128 West Broadway, Vancouver An Indigenous restaurant representing several Canadian First Nations. You won't likely find pemmican mousse or bison bone marrow with bannock crackers anywhere else. There's an abbreviated outpost at the Vancouver airport, located post-security in International Departures. Iconic views H Tasting Lounge patio Westin Bayshore Hotel, 1601 Bayshore Dr., Vancouver This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Stanley Park seawall winds around this breezy patio abutting Coal Harbour with a view of mountains by day and bright cityscape by night. Burgers, steaks, seafood tower, children's menu or maybe a cocktail and snacks during Happy Hour? Five Sails features spectacular views and delicious dishes. Photo by Nora Hamade Five Sails 999 Canada Place, Vancouver Mountains, harbour, Stanley Park, the iconic five white sails of Canada Place, cruise ships, Harbour Air traffic all just beyond the glass walls. More than just a view, the haute, award-winning food makes for delicious memories. Miku 200 Granville St., Vancouver Like at Five Sails, you have an up close and personal view of Vancouver's best features. Their modern Japanese food is approachable but creative. It's in the top tier of Japanese restaurants. Plan your next getaway with Travel Time, featuring travel deals, destinations and gear. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 130 East Pender St., Vancouver Delicious Chinese barbecued meat platters can be had for the price of a burger elsewhere. This modernized throwback preserves the feel of our old Chinatown. Japadog Various locations Yummy Japanese hotdogs took this company from a single food cart to several locations, including a brick-and-mortar spot on Robson Street. Wagyu Terimayo, Okonomi, Kurabuta and Oroshi dogs are but a few offerings. Street food There are lots of food trucks and carts in Vancouver but since they're not all stationary, you might have to hunt them down. The site will say when and where they're open with info about the food. Some popular ones are Salty Lobster, Tatchan Noodle, Pac Rim Patio and Reel Mac and Cheese. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 2451 Nanaimo St., Vancouver | 604-253-7242 It looks like squatters live here. The look is grunge with poster and graffiti-plastered walls but this old diner is packed, especially for the $2.95 breakfast of eggs, ham, toast and hash browns. (For a less grungy old-timey diner experience, Northern Cafe and Grill, in a lumber yard in south Vancouver is an option.) READ MORE:These are 18 of the best budget-friendly restaurants in Metro Vancouver Chinese and Taiwanese Din Tai Fung 1132 Alberni St., Vancouver Asian culture is part of Vancouver's DNA so no wonder this blockbustingly popular Taiwanese chain opened here recently, bringing its famous xiao long bao, noodles and other dishes. Smack in the city's downtown. Easy access for visitors. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 8351 River Rd., Richmond Elbows up at this summertime Asian night market crush. Speed date your way through a banquet of more than 500 food options, including Korean fried chicken, XinJiang lamb buns, skewered meats, mango rainbow sticky rice, 'flying' noodle cups, and cheese 'coin' bread. Take the Canada Line to the Bridgeport Station. Follow the smell of food. READ MORE:These are the 15 best Chinese restaurants in and around Vancouver Michelin star power Published on Main 3593 Main St., Vancouver Vancouver has 10 one-Michelin star restaurants, including Published, where the chef is on creative overdrive. His dishes look like art. They don't stick around as the menu is on the move. Option of à la carte or a tasting menu. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 1038 Mainland St., Vancouver At this one-Michelin star spot, you're looking at $325 per person — expensive for Vancouver but the 20 or so courses are not your everyday experience. From start to finish, it's theatre with ceremonial reverence for obsessively curated ingredients, food presentation and formal service. READ MORE:Here's a list of Vancouver's 10 Michelin-starred restaurants Seafood Blue Water Café 1095 Hamilton St., Vancouver Always the best of seafood from sustainable sources, including dishes from the sushi bar. Expect gracious service in an elegant room. Coast 1054 Alberni St., Vancouver Great seafood? Check! Great service? Check! Stop at the circular central bar for a drink and oysters if you want something quick. Friday lunch offers a $20 fish and chips with draft beer. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. READ MORE:Where to eat seafood in Metro Vancouver? A restaurant review roundup Steaks Elisa 1109 Hamilton St., Vancouver Check out their butcher shop next door and you have a window into the amazing steaks on the menu. Elisa is part of a restaurant group that's earned mile-high accolades for many years. There's a peaceful rooftop patio at The Victor. Photo by Tara Armstrong The Victor Parq Vancouver, 39 Smithe St. You'll find premium steaks along with seafood options and sushi. Bonus: In summer, there's a peaceful rooftop patio with waterworks, greenery and city view. 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The Acorn 3995 Main St., Vancouver Organic, vegetarian, vegan, zero-waste, deep connections to local growers, and unique dishes like leek ash spaghetti with samphire, kombu arrabbiata, green blueberries, apricots and seaside arrowgrass oil. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. READ MORE:Here are 18 restaurants in Metro Vancouver where you can get great vegetarian food Here are more Vancouver restaurant recommendations • These 18 Vancouver restaurants are Hollywood North favourites • Where to eat pizza in Metro Vancouver? A restaurant review roundup • Where to eat sushi in Metro Vancouver? A restaurant review roundup • Where to eat breakfast in Metro Vancouver? A restaurant review roundup • Where to eat ramen in Metro Vancouver? A restaurant review roundup • Where to eat seafood in Metro Vancouver? A restaurant review roundup • Where to eat Italian in Metro Vancouver? A restaurant review roundup • Where to eat French cuisine in Metro Vancouver? 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