Young Bourdain Comes Alive in New Film 'Tony'

A forthcoming film, 'Tony,' from A24, is set to explore the transformative early summers of the renowned chef and author Anthony Bourdain. Scheduled for release on August 7, the movie stars breakout actor Dominic Sessa as the young Bourdain during his initial experiences in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

The film adapts Bourdain's experiences, primarily drawing from his book "Kitchen Confidential." Director Matt Johnson and his co-writers condensed three years of Bourdain's life into a single summer, focusing on his time working in iconic Provincetown eateries like the Lobster Pot and Ciro & Sal's. Antonio Banderas also stars as a restaurateur who mentored the young Bourdain.

During a recent panel at the Provincetown Film Festival, Johnson, Sessa, and co-star Leo Woodall discussed the creative process. Johnson noted that filming took place on location in Provincetown, highlighting the city's cooperation. Sessa shared his approach to portraying Bourdain, emphasizing capturing his essence over mimicry, given the limited visual references available.

Woodall spoke about his role and the challenges of on-set learning, including oyster shucking, which led to a minor injury. The filmmakers are currently in post-production, adding finishing touches to the movie. 'Tony' promises a nostalgic look at the experiences that shaped one of modern culture's most missed culinary figures.