Netflix’s Trainwreck doc revisits Rob Ford’s chaotic mayoral run and public struggles
Shianne Brown, a filmmaker from London, England, vividly remembers her shock when she first heard about the scandal involving Toronto mayor Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine. The news broke in 2013, sending shockwaves around the world. Ford quickly became an international spectacle, not only for the shocking drug allegations but also for a series of scandals that followed, including public drunkenness and physical altercations with city officials.
More than a decade later, Brown has directed a new Netflix documentary titled “Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem,” which delves into Ford’s tumultuous time in office. The documentary, part of Netflix’s “Trainwreck” series, aims to explore some of the most disastrous events in mainstream media history.
In an interview from London, Brown shared her motivation behind the film, stating that she wanted to humanize Rob Ford rather than just focusing on the scandalous headlines. She reached out to Ford’s brother, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, for participation in the documentary, but he declined, citing respect for the family’s wishes following Rob Ford’s death from cancer in 2016.
“Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem” combines archival footage and interviews with local journalists and insiders from Ford’s inner circle to trace his rise to power and subsequent downfall. The film examines how Ford, with his anti-establishment agenda and populist appeal, managed to win over a significant base of voters in Toronto.
According to Brown, Ford positioned himself as an underdog who championed the working-class citizens against the so-called downtown elites. She draws parallels between Ford’s political strategies and similar populist movements seen in other parts of the world, such as Brexit in the UK and Donald Trump’s election in the US.
The documentary also sheds light on Ford’s contentious relationship with the media, showcasing his confrontational interactions with reporters and his reluctance to admit to smoking crack cocaine. Brown emphasizes how Ford’s struggles with substance abuse played out in the public eye, with viral videos capturing his erratic behavior and appearances on American TV shows like “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”
Through “Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem,” Brown hopes to encourage viewers to consider the circumstances that led to the infamous crack video and reflect on Ford’s personal struggles and battles with addiction. She underscores the importance of understanding the human side of Ford’s story and urges audiences to approach it with empathy rather than judgment.
In conclusion, “Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem” offers a compelling and nuanced portrayal of Rob Ford’s turbulent time in office, inviting viewers to reevaluate their perceptions of the controversial mayor and the events that defined his legacy.
