Anthony Bourdain was one of the preeminent tastemakers, chronicling travel, cuisine, art, and so much more in his storied career. But before all of that, he was just a young guy trying to figure out who he was and find his place in the world. And it’s that chapter of his story that is told in A24’s Tony, starring The Holdovers breakout Dominic Sessa in the title role.
Tony is directed by Matt Johnson, the filmmaker behind Blackberry, Operation Avalanche, and most recently, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie. The film takes place in 1976 when a 19-year-old Bourdain had a life-changing time working as part of kitchen crews in Provincetown, Mass. The man who would eventually give us Kitchen Confidential, No Reservations, and Parts Unknown was born in this period.
Also in the cast are Emilia Jones, Antonio Banderas, Rich Sommer, and Bugonia‘s Stavros Halkias. Banderas plays the Brazilian restaurateur who takes Bourdain under his wing, a relationship that is clearly central to the story.
Johnson also co-wrote the screenplay with Matthew Miller, Todd Bartels, and Lou Howe.
SYNOPSIS: A 19-year-old Anthony Bourdain travels to Provincetown and stumbles into the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen, setting off a summer that will shape the course of his life.
A24 plans to release Tony in theaters this August.
