Humans,
As I’m sure you all know, the film Cocaine Bear was released recently to high acclaim, and since I alluded to my connection to this bear in a newsletter last year I have been asked about it quite frequently. I’m happy to share that my media embargo was lifted and I was finally able to publicly comment on the film in a recent interview with The Forest Reporter, excerpted below.
The Forest Reporter: We’ve gotta ask the question everyone has been wondering - were you indeed acquainted with the real-life Cocaine Bear?
Bear: I’ve been reluctant to discuss this out of respect for his family but - yes - I knew Eddie quite well. In the Cub Club community we sometimes playfully refer to him as Pablo Eskobear, though I’m not sure that’s in especially good taste.
TFR: We knew it! Okay so, since you know - er, knew - him, did anything surprise you about the way he was represented in this movie?
Bear: Well, I think the context that wasn’t able to really be shown in the film - due to time constraints - is that Eddie lived a bit of a troubled life prior to this unfortunate incident involving the cocaine. His vices really created a problematic loop for him.
TFR: Vices, vices… which begs the aside, Chef: what’s your vice of choice?
Bear: Besides a well-cooked 90-day-aged ribeye? <Chuckles> Listen, I don’t really want to go down that conversational road, but I will say that I’m more of a wine ursine myself. Shameless little plug here, but we have some AMAZING wines on the docket for our new spring Cow by Bear menu.
TFR: Alright, you’ve piqued our interest! Maybe you can share a little bit about them at the end of the interview. One final Cocaine Bear question - there’s a lot of gore in the movie, is this representative of the real life of a bear?
Bear: Happy to share the wines! And I’d have to say – definitely not. My experience involves a lot more heartwarming instances of bringing humans and bears together as opposed to violence against each other. I think this is the truest and highest mammalian way - that discovery of common ground.
TFR: Okay, last question. We heard a rumor that you were sourced as a stand-in backup actor for the bear in the movie. Is this true?
Bear: Haha, definitely not answering that one due to an NDA…. But maybe. <winks>
As promised, here are the wines we have chosen for my spring menu. Check them out, and - as a very serious and studied wine ursine - I recommend joining us to give them a try yourself.
Until then, yours,
Bear