Tony film explores Anthony Bourdain’s early years in Provincetown

The film ‘Tony’, directed by Matt Johnson and produced by A24, explores the formative years of the late chef and author Anthony Bourdain. Set in the 1970s in the fishing village of Provincetown, Massachusetts, the story follows a young Bourdain—played by Dominic Sessa—before he achieved fame as a chef or travel host.

The narrative depicts Bourdain’s experiences working in kitchens, starting as a dishwasher, and immersing himself in a community of chefs and artists. The production features a soundtrack curated from Bourdain’s personal music collection, which includes hundreds of tracks. Antonio Banderas appears in the film as a head chef.

Accompanying the cinematic release is a related collection of works titled ‘Happier, Stupider Times: Anthony Bourdain's Provincetown Years’. This book contains maps, recipes, menus, and archival photographs that document the era and location that shaped Bourdain’s character and culinary journey.