PETA offer to co-finance Anthony Bourdain biopic in exchange for using vegan products
Animal rights charity PETA has offered to finance the upcoming A24 biopic on the late chef Anthony Bourdain if producers agree to use vegan products on the set.
Actor Dominic Sessa has been cast as the iconic chef in Tony. The film will follow Bourdain before he made a name for himself on the New York culinary scene as he experiences a life-changing incident in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
However, PETA have suggested that a much more ethical way to produce scenes featuring food and animal flesh in the film would be to use vegan meat and dairy props, rather than creating excess food waste.
In an open letter, seen by Far Out, to the movie’s producers Tim and Trevor White, PETA’s Director of Animals in Film and Television, Lauren Thomasson, said: “Any meal across any cultural tradition can be depicted using kind, modern, meat-free alternatives—and audiences will never know the difference, but animals will, and they’ll thank you. Would you please commit to no animal flesh on set for Tony?”
She added: “It’s no secret that Bourdain was far from vegan, and in fact, many animals all over the world died for his culinary pursuits. We hope, however, that his biopic will not insist on such carnage, and instead, we urge you to use vegan foods and props for any scenes that call for animal flesh. In fact, we’ll foot the bill to make it happen.”
Further details emerged regarding the film and Sessa’s casting last week, notably confirming that the film will be set two years before Bourdain’s culinary career began.
Alongside Sessa, Antonio Banderas will also appear in the film, although his role has not yet been specified.
A24 is producing Tony, and filming is set to commence next month, but no release date has yet been revealed.
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.