More than a decade after Rob Ford’s crack cocaine scandal rocked Toronto, filmmaker Shianne Brown revisits the late mayor’s controversial legacy in a new Netflix documentary, Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem. Part of the streamer’s Trainwreck anthology, the film examines Ford’s chaotic term in office, marked by addiction, populist politics, and media spectacle.
Brown, a London-based director, first heard of the scandal in disbelief in 2013. Her documentary aims to humanize Ford, highlighting both his political rise and tragic personal decline. Ford, who died of cancer in 2016 at 46, became an international figure, known for erratic behavior, populist rhetoric, and defiance toward media scrutiny.
The film features archival footage and interviews with insiders like Ford’s former driver Jerry Agyemang and journalist Robyn Doolittle. Despite declining to participate, Ford’s brother, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, remains part of the broader narrative.
Brown portrays Ford as a divisive yet empathetic figure, popular among suburban voters and working-class supporters. His “anti-elite” message and public battles with the press foreshadowed global political shifts, including Trump’s U.S. presidency and Brexit.
The documentary revisits infamous moments—from viral videos of Ford intoxicated in public to his combative press conferences—and considers how modern views on addiction and mental health might reshape public perception of his story.
Swifteradio.com
