Kngfu heading to SXSW!

Here I thought it was all about Jack White and Grimes! Turns out SXSW is also host to a ton of interesting workshops and panels about web and film! [I guess it’s pretty clear from the logo but really, who knew?]  Even Frank Abagnale of Catch Me if You Can fame will be there!      

                 

Guess who else will be there? Kngfu’s very own Ghassan Fayad will be headed to Austin to take part in a panel discussion, When Filmmakers Meet Interactive Teams on Tuesday, March 13. As I’ve highlighted in previous posts, Kngfu has collaborated with both United States of Africa and Café de Flore on their accompanying websites and are currently working on the site for Ésimésac. 

He also just found out that the place he had booked is now unavailable, so if you happen to have an old college buddy or your grandma lives in Austin near the venue, let us know!

United States of Africa in theatres March 2!

United States of Africa (Les États-Unis d’Afrique) will début at Cinéma Excentris this Friday, March 2!

                                    

To accompany the film, Kngfu has been working on an interactive website that allows you to create a unique slogan using clips related to the film. My description here fails to capture just how addictive it is. I dare you to make just one.

Check out one of my personal favorite slogans so far - THE HIP HOP GENERATION IS INTERNATIONAL, that features an interview about the rise of hip hop activism.

You can see my creation and all the other slogans here 

About United States of Africa

Directed by former Concordia student, Yanick Létourneau, United States of Africa follows African hip hop pioneer Didier Awadi on his quest to craft an album that pays tribute to the great black revolutionary leaders and their struggle to realize a dream: a proud, united and independent Africa. In this epic musical and political journey, Awadi visits some 40 countries to collaborate with many hip hop activist artists. A hopeful and compelling portrait of a continent whose politically aware youth is refusing to accept the role of victim, the film is a call for Africans to rise up, take a stand and take control of their continent and their destiny. 

Café de Flore now on DVD!

                                   

Café de Flore was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on Tuesday. Not only did Kngfu make the official site and corresponding blog but a large part of the movie filmed in Montreal (look familiar?)!

The release of the DVD has given my Kngfu colleague a chance to relive her hair obsession crush on one of the films stars, Evelyne Brochu.

While she wishes to remain anonymous, you may have noticed that after Kngfu attended the Montreal première of Café de Flore in September, she started sporting a slightly more bleached and permed do.

Gotta say, she pulls it off.

Laurier BBQ cuts ties with Gordon Ramsay

After only six months, Laurier BBQ has cut ties with celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay. On Wednesday evening, the restaurant began removing Ramsay’s name from the exterior. 

Kngfu has enjoyed several lunches there over the past few months and I reviewed it in a previous post. I’ve got to say, as long as the smoked meat macaroni and cheese remains untouched, I’m indifferent as to whether or not it’s associated with Ramsay.

Read the entire article in the Gazette here.

  • 20 Plays
  • MontrealThe Weeknd

Who’s ready for the Weeknd?

Get it? 

Sorry, that’s a bit lame. I suppose all this snow has given me a bit of cabin fever…

Le Comme Chez Soi

We’ve all returned from our respective holidays to face the cold temperatures of January. When it is cold and gray out, sometimes you just want a nice, familiar, cozy place and some delicious food. Relatively unmarked along Blvd. St. Laurent, Le Comme Chez Soi provides just that. It is located in the same space that The Green Room once occupied. Despite the major renovations required after the fire at The Green Room, the interior feels warm and cozy, like your family cottage that hasn’t changed since you were a kid.

Now, although one of my coworkers swears by their all day breakfast choices, they are known for their burgers and do they ever deliver. 

Made with bison (which is surprisingly leaner than beef and not gamey at all), the burger was moist and cooked to perfection. It also came with a salad and roasted potatoes. I wish I could elaborate on what my colleagues ordered but I was so wrapped up in eating my own meal that every other detail dissolved into my periphery. 

We spilt the homemade Chocolate Fondant (not just the name of icing, as all those reality cake shows has lead me to believe)

As you can see, it was only so-so and we didn’t devour it like animals as soon as it hit the table. We did.

So if it’s cold and dreary and you’re wandering around the Plateau, get to Le Comme Chez Soi and order yourself some bison.

Hockey Night in Canada

Allow me to be completely up front about this - I am not a big hockey fan. 

Yes, my brother and dad have taught just enough of the correct terminology and need-to-know names of players that I can feign some interest during a short conversation. 

Despite this extreme lack of knowledge, there is one thing that I do know (sorry Kevin!):

Montreal Canadiens > Toronto Maple Leafs

So imagine the office’s suppressed anger surprise when the in-house Leafs fan put this poster up to show his support. 

Week of Advanced Screenings!

There are so many exciting movies in theatres this winter - Shame, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Carnage, Alvin and the Chipmunks - Chipwrecked!*

Last week I went to the screenings for two upcoming movies: Young Adult and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. I was so looking forward to Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and was indifferent about Young Adult. However, Young Adult turned out to be more fun than expected and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy was, I’m afraid, a disappointment. Life can surprise you sometimes. 

To help you decide which movie to see this weekend without giving away any spoilers, check out our straight to the point, no fuss, no muss, one sentence reviews. 

I’ve enlisted guest blogger Amanda to help review Young Adult.

 

“Aside from Mavis’ (Charlize Theron) talent for spectacularly public self-destruction, her single girl behaviour and lifestyle were painfully familiar. In a good way. For filmmaking purposes only.” - remarked the fabulously charming and intelligent Amanda.*

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Do not be swayed, as I was, by the thrilling trailer - this movie crawls along at an excruciating pace, featuring too many close ups of old man’s faces, too many shots looking through glass windows for artistic effect, and not enough Colin Firth.

*One of those was disingenuous, I’ll leave it to you to determine which one of those things was not like the other

*Amanda subsequently edited this post and tacked on a few embellishments

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