Director Matt Johnson and actor Dominic Sessa have created an unconventional take on the life of Anthony Bourdain with their new film “Tony.” Rather than a traditional biographical account, the project focuses on Bourdain’s formative years as a young dishwasher and cook in Provincetown, Massachusetts—a period detailed in his memoir “Kitchen Confidential.” Johnson deliberately approached the material as a collection of impressions and emotions rather than strict historical accuracy, aiming to capture how one might remember their own youth through fragmented memories and feelings.
Johnson, who previously directed “BlackBerry,” initially turned down the opportunity to make another biography. However, after meeting with actor Sessa and discussing the script, the filmmaker became intrigued by the potential to explore universal themes of youth, identity, and self-discovery through Bourdain’s early life. Neither Johnson nor Sessa were particularly familiar with Bourdain’s work, which proved advantageous to their creative vision. The lack of deep personal connection freed them to reimagine his story while incorporating their own perspectives on family, role models, and growing up.
Sessa, who appeared in the Oscar-nominated film “The Holdovers,” found the project’s approach liberating. The limited historical record of Bourdain’s time in Provincetown actually became an asset, allowing the filmmakers to blend biography with personal storytelling. Johnson and Sessa emphasized that their film represents an opportunity to explore a lesser-known chapter of the chef’s life while simultaneously examining their own formative experiences through the filmmaking process.
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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