At only seventeen, Ali Allouche was diagnosed with cancer, presenting a challenge to him and his family.  Allouche and his tougher-than-nails mother, Lt. Colonel Jen Danko, spent much time together during Allouche’s treatments watching cooking programs.  This would be the launchpad for Allouche to, upon getting healthy, visit so many of those restaurants he had seen on TV, meet the celebrity chefs he so admired—and undertake food-based journeys similar to his hero, Anthony Bourdain.

His unusual, and inspiring, culinary journey is recounted in “Ali Eats America,” which will have its premiere at the Sonoma Film Festival later this month.  (Screen Comment will be reporting from the festival.)

“Ali Eats America” co-director Roush Niaghi recalls coming upon Allouche’s unusual story on social media several years ago.  She and co-director Greg Morris, veterans of such TV shows as “Top Gear” and “Fastest Car,” felt this was a story they themselves should tell during breaks from their day job.

“I’m very food-obsessed,” Niaghi said.  “That article stopped me in my tracks.  I couldn’t think about anything else.”

Niaghi and Morris, based in Los Angeles, would need to make several trips to the East Coast to film Allouche’s treatments in Maryland and then follow him around the country on his food journey.  They started making such cross-country trips nearly a decade ago, grabbing footage as they could in between episodes of “Top Gear.”  In addition to Allouche, his mother and his stepfather, Niaghi and Morris, were welcomed by Allouche’s siblings and step-siblings.

“Within two weeks of filming, we were part of the family and [realized] we’re gonna be here all the time,” said Morris.  “That’s a tight-knit community there.  They were doing meal trains [for Allouche], and we got to know the neighbors.  Everybody was so kind, so wonderful.”

Niaghi and Morris relate how Allouche’s early crowdfunding campaign to help him get to see his wish list of restaurants not only caught fire but also attracted such high-profile backers as Anthony Bourdain and even José Andrés, who owns and runs several restaurants in the greater Washington, D.C., area close to where Ali was receiving cancer treatments.  In a touching scene filmed in 2017, Andrés not only visits Allouche at home, but he calls Boundain on his smartphone to talk to Allouche.

“He’s truly amazing,” Niaghi said of Andrés.  “He’s been a giant support [and] cheerleader for us.”

Sadly, by the time Allouche was well enough to start his food-based journey across America, Bourdain, Allouche’s idol, had committed suicide.  However, the filmmakers were able to film Allouche watching Bourdain’s final episode of “Parts Unknown” at a special New York screening, not far from where it had been filmed.

“That’s what kicked off Ali’s inspiration from the hospital bed, watching Bourdain,” said Roush, adding that it felt appropriate to then film Allouche himself exploring the Lower East Side, the setting of that final “Parts Unknown.”  “It just felt right to kind of honor [Bourdain] in a very respectful way.  And then Ali continues on and travels and eats everything—what his wish was.”

Because the filming process took so long and was interrupted by COVID-19 a half-decade ago, the filmmakers even scrapped their entire original edit and started over, which they said ultimately helped the project.

Allouche, now cancer-free, is living in Los Angeles, and the filmmakers say his entire family is doing well.  Allouche has seen their cut of the film, and he continues to pursue his love of food.

“It really did restore my faith in human kindness,” Roush said, pointing to the power of social media to effect good, such as bringing so much money into Allouche’s campaign.  “I hope that this film helps someone, whether they’re going through cancer or have someone in their family that is struggling in some way, to…help them see the light…and not give up.  That’s my hope for this film.”

“Ali Eats America” will premiere at the Sonoma Film Festival later this month.