**New Biopic Explores Anthony Bourdain’s Formative Summer in Provincetown**
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/anthony-bourdain225-08052026-1bf67c23446241a894eb690f728d07b2.jpg)
A24’s latest film, *Tony*, delves into a significant summer in the life of the late Anthony Bourdain, exploring how a brief experience in Provincetown, Massachusetts, set him on the path to becoming a renowned chef. The biopic, which features 23-year-old Dominic Sessa as a younger Bourdain, highlights the summer of 1975 when the culinary icon began his journey in the restaurant industry, particularly at the local establishment known as the Flagship.
The film has received approval from Bourdain’s estate, which stated their support was due to the film’s unique narrative approach. Unlike traditional biopics that attempt to condense a life into a series of events, *Tony* focuses solely on a transformative period in Bourdain’s youth. In a statement, his estate remarked, “We hope this film serves as a reminder that every journey has a start, and that audiences see the beginnings of the man who taught us how to be better explorers on our own paths.”
*Tony* is set for its limited theatrical release on 7 August, before expanding to wider audiences on 21 August. Though the film takes some creative liberties in portraying the events of that pivotal summer, it faithfully highlights two primary restaurants—Flagship and Spiritus Pizza—that were instrumental in shaping Bourdain’s early career and personal life.
The Flagship was a bustling seafood restaurant, a beloved establishment in Provincetown that has since been transformed into a private residence. Described as a cherished institution, the restaurant featured unique decor, including a bar fashioned from a dory boat. According to reports, Bourdain’s introduction to the culinary world came when a friend, disheartened by a missed shift at the Flagship, recommended him as a replacement. What followed was a whirlwind of experiences that would fuel his ambition to succeed in the industry.
In *Tony*, Sessa depicts Bourdain’s arrival in Provincetown with the goal of pursuing a girl named Nancy, played by Emilia Jones. This romantic pursuit leads to a series of mishaps that ultimately lands him a position in the kitchen of the Flagship. The film portrays a raucous kitchen environment, echoing the vibrant, chaotic atmosphere that Bourdain would later recount in his writings.
The New York Times has highlighted Bourdain’s reflections on his time at the Flagship, noting that he felt a profound sense of satisfaction as a dishwasher and later in various kitchen roles. The restaurant is aptly referred to as the “Dreadnaught” in Bourdain’s influential memoir, *Kitchen Confidential*, which offered readers a raw glimpse into the workings of professional kitchens through his eyes.
The film also features Spiritus Pizza, a well-known local pizzeria established in 1971 by John Yingling. Not only was this popular late-night haunt a favourite among locals, but it was also intrinsically linked to Bourdain’s social scene during that summer. Notably, Nancy, the girl Bourdain pursued, was an employee at Spiritus, further entwining his personal and working life.
Yingling provided insights into Bourdain’s early days, recalling how he was often seen as a “pain-in-the-ass” by staff at the pizzeria. The establishment acknowledges its friendship with Bourdain in an Instagram post celebrating the film, recalling how he spent summer nights above their walk-in refrigerator and noted the lasting impact of his culinary genius.
Lastly, Ciro & Sal’s is another establishment that features in the film, a Northern Italian restaurant that has been operating since 1954. Here, Bourdain faced his share of challenges, including a disastrous trial shift that led to him burning himself on a frying pan. Following this setback, he was shifted to work with salads, providing insight into the adversities that would later inspire him to pursue formal culinary training at the Culinary Institute of America.
*Tony* captures a chapter of Anthony Bourdain’s life that is often overshadowed by his later accomplishments. By focusing on a single summer in Provincetown, the film seeks to humanise this iconic figure, allowing audiences to see the roots of the man who became a beloved chef, author, and travel documentarian. As the film prepares for its release, it reminds us of the beginnings of Bourdain’s remarkable journey in a world full of flavours, experiences, and the spirit of adventure.