A feature documentary, from Oscar-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville, about the late television star and chef Anthony Bourdain is in the works from Focus Features, CNN Films, and HBO Max. [via THR]
Bourdain won the Oscar for “20 Feet from Stardom” and also directed the uber-popular Mr. Rogers doc from last year “Won't You Be My Neighbor?.”
“Anthony Bourdain did more to help us understand each other than just about anyone in the history of television. He connected with people not in spite of his flaws, but because of them. To have the opportunity to tell his story is humbling. CNN is in the DNA of Tony's work, and the perfect partners in this journey. I'm thrilled to be reteaming with Focus Features after our journey on “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”. I am also happy that HBO Max will make sure Tony's audience only continues to grow,” Neville said in a statement.
Bourdain was a popular chef, writer, and host, who would also, most famously, document his travels on CNN series “Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown,” which won 12 Emmy awards over its five-year run.
He was found dead in a French hotel last summer. The cause of death was later confirmed to be suicide. The death would ultimately shock the entire country as Bourdain hadn’t shown, at least publically, any signs of mental discomfort, alas, that’s the way mental illness works. It’s a privately kept secret for many. I do hope Neville tackles Bourdain’s controversial relationship Asia Argento, which many believe was one of the triggers which led him to take his own life.