Organising the illumination of the filmmaking process: The experimental contribution of The Five Obstructions

The paper analyses TheFive Obstructions(Von Trier, Leth, 2003), a productionist metafilm that illuminates the film production organisational process. A productionistmetafilmis a reflexive workthat expands on filmmaking’s processual dimension to the extent that the frontstage of production might be said to coincide, or tend to coincide, with its backstage. In such a way, it provides  a  favourable  observation  spot  of  the  filmmaking  process  over  some  of  its  material components  of  production  and  the  role  of  authors  and  practitioners.  Specifically, The  Five Obstructionsprovides  an  organisational  model  of  filmmaking  which  exceeds  the  canonical representations of mainstream cinema –but also differs from other metacinematic examples -for its unique capability to frame the exhibition of the productive process as the primary agent of the representation inits constitutive material aspects. Drawing on scholarship focusing on organisational performance, critical management studies and film studies, this article attempts to  investigate  the  extent  to  which  this  audiovisual  product  can  provide  a  contribution  that exceeds the limits established by the domain of filmmaking. It is questioned whether it can also generate  a  deeper  understanding  of  diverse  work  environment  dynamics  and  promote organisational  change. The  Five  Obstructionsoperates  in  this  direction  by inviting  the participants to role-play, to exhibit their own role within the filmmaking process. In particular, this film focuses on issues related to co-performed production, leadership, self-management, and disorganisation issues. Finally, it critically problematises the tension between the backstage and frontstage of performances in organisational life.