Antonio Banderas shared insights into his role as a mentor in the upcoming A24 biopic 'Tony' about chef Anthony Bourdain's early life. Speaking at the Torino Film Festival, he described the challenging filming process and the film's focus on Bourdain's struggles. The movie, directed by Matt Johnson, stars Dominic Sessa as young Bourdain.
Film Overview
'Tony' reimagines Anthony Bourdain as an aimless young man after university, where he initially aspired to be a writer but soon faced depression and drug addiction. The film explores these difficult early years, emphasizing his personal growth through mentorship. Banderas portrays a Brazilian-born restaurateur, a composite character inspired by real figures like Provincetown's Ciro Cozzi, who teaches the young chef culinary skills and life lessons.
Banderas' Role and Filming Experience
Banderas' character is an outsider who studied at top gastronomy schools but created accessible dishes for everyday people outside elite circles. 'Through this relationship, Tony begins to truly learn how to cook,' Banderas said. 'So the film is not just about cuisine or culinary techniques; it’s about his life, his identity, and his way of being — shaped by this unique mentor.'
Filming took a month and a half in Cape Cod and Newport, Rhode Island, where Banderas spent days cleaning fish. 'We spent a month and a half filming in Cape Cod and Newport, constantly surrounded by the smell of fish,' he laughed. 'Every time I came back to the hotel, I had to shower because I absolutely reeked — I was cleaning fish every single day!'
Context from Torino Film Festival
Banderas spoke while accepting a lifetime achievement award at the Torino Film Festival, highlighting the importance of mentors in his own career. He credited Pedro Almodóvar for launching his film career and recalled working with Paul Newman, describing a memorable encounter during a New York musical. The festival also featured a retrospective of Newman's films.