Canadian filmmaker Matt Johnson appeared relaxed last week despite being just four days away from his wedding and eight days before commencing the filming of his upcoming movie. Sporting casual attire, Johnson spoke with CBC News at Toronto’s Revue Cinema about “Tony,” a biopic centered on the early life of renowned chef and TV personality Anthony Bourdain.
Although Bourdain was widely admired following his tragic death in 2018, Johnson expressed comfort in narrating his story, mentioning he initially had no strong feelings towards Bourdain’s persona or reputation. The decision to create a film about Bourdain only materialized after meeting actor Dominic Sessa, who portrays Bourdain in the movie.
Sessa, 23, was cast as the lead, and Johnson crafted the script based on stories from Bourdain’s youth outlined in his book “Kitchen Confidential.” The narrative focuses on one summer in Provincetown, Mass., where Bourdain worked as a chef for the first time.
By concentrating on the young Bourdain, Johnson evaded the pressure of depicting the older, established Bourdain that many people thought they knew. Rather than portraying him as a saint, the film delves into the complexities of Bourdain’s formative years, including his relationships and struggles while entering adulthood.
“Tony” is set to premiere in theaters across Canada on Friday, Aug. 14. Johnson emphasized that the film aimed to make Bourdain’s story relatable and useful to his admirers, creating a sense of connection between the characters and the audience.
Throughout the filmmaking process, Johnson and Sessa felt a sense of collaboration with Bourdain, aligning their perspectives to bring his story to life on screen.
