Roadrunner: What We Know About Anthony Bourdain's New Documentary
Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain had no reservations about what he said or what he ate. The famous chef-slash-writer was known for eating at small, hidden-gem restaurants and showcasing the culture behind the food wherever he went for his travel shows "No Reservations" and "Parts Unknown." Now, after his death by suicide in 2018, a new documentary titled "Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain" is going to put him front and center.
Bourdain rose to fame with his nonfiction book "Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly," which was part memoir, part behind-the-scenes expose on the restaurant industry. It created a whole new career for him that put the celebrity in celebrity chef and, interestingly enough, inspired a sitcom that ran for one season, starring Bradley Cooper as an adjacent character with a slightly different name.
"Roadrunner," however, will take the nonfiction route. Here's everything we know about it so far.
When is the release date of Roadrunner?
"Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain" is joining the exciting roster of movies coming to theaters this summer after over a year of the coronavirus pandemic causing widespread closures. It will open July 16, according to Variety, to a possibly quite eager group of moviegoers.
The film is directed by Morgan Neville, who won an Oscar for his 2013 documentary about backup singers, "20 Feet From Stardom," and garnered critical acclaim for his documentary on children's television host Fred Rogers, "Won't You Be My Neighbor?," which was considered one of the most underappreciated movies of 2018. It's too early to say if "Roadrunner" will be one of the best documentaries of 2021, but with Neville directing, it's likely to be worth a watch.
In the meantime, fans can catch old episodes of "No Reservations" on Hulu and "Parts Unknown" on HBO Max. They are great primers for any upcoming vacations, as they feature amazing food from places all over the world.
Where will Roadrunner be available to watch?
"Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain" will make its first official premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 11, before its theatrical release. The festival is holding screenings at various locations in New York City, many at outdoor or drive-in venues, as well as offering tickets for at-home streaming options. Following that, "Roadrunner" will make its way to theaters, according to Variety.
After that, CNN will air the documentary and then it'll find its final streaming home on HBO Max, though there's no date for that yet. So anyone unwilling to go to theaters to see it will have to wait until after the summer, at least. Director Morgan Neville's Mister Rogers documentary is currently streaming on HBO Max, for any fans that want to get a taste of his style before the main event of "Roadrunner." CNN Films and HBO Max executive produced the film.
What will Roadrunner be about?
As the title says quite plainly, "Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain," will be all about the life of Anthony Bourdain. Tribeca Film Festival director Cara Cusumano wrote about the film, "Drawing on the vast catalog of Bourdain's on-screen work, as well as never-aired moments, home movies, and insights from those who knew him best, Neville's film celebrates Bourdain's adventurous life and the underlying spirit that drove it all: as former President Obama said, "To make us a little less afraid of the unknown."
Obama said that in a tweet following Bourdain's death. He had previously shared a meal and interview with Bourdain in an episode of "Parts Unknown" filmed in Vietnam, where Obama was visiting at the time (via CNN).
About Bourdain himself, Cusumano wrote: "Bourdain's outsize personality, insatiable curiosity, and passion for food, travel, and culture tapped into a deeper humanity that resonated with viewers who felt that they knew him. And to those who did know him, 'Tony' was an uncommonly sensitive and insightful soul whose friendship left a lasting impact." If this description is anything to go by, it seems the documentary will bring these traits to the forefront.