After the Axe

After the Axe
Film poster
Directed by	Sturla Gunnarsson
Produced by	Sturla Gunnarsson Arthur Hammond Steve Lucas
Written by	Steve Lucas
Narrated by	Roger Mattiussi
Cinematography	Andreas Poulsson
Edited by	Roger Mattiussi
Production company	National Film Board of Canada
Release dates	1982 (1982)
Country	Canada
Language	English

After the Axe is a 1982 Canadian drama film about executive firings, directed by Sturla Gunnarsson, nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The film explores the experiences of managers getting fired and the emergence of a new industry specialized in handling such terminations. Despite its Oscar nomination in the documentary category, After the Axe is closer to a docufiction film, made with the cooperation of members of the Canadian business community, which provided locations and helped script scenes during filming. The film's protagonist, D.R. "Biff" Wilson, is a composite character based on the filmmakers' conversations with fired executives, while the other Canadian executives play themselves.

Plot

Wilson, a senior marketing executive, is laid off from a food company after fifteen years of good service. Losing his status and security, he is relegated to the role of dependent house husband, resented by his children and shunned by former colleagues.

Cast

• James B. Douglas as Biff Wilson
• Janine Manatis as Wife
• Anne Christison as Daughter
• Randy Solomon as Son
• Roger Mattiussi as Narrator (voice)
• Eric Barton as Himself (relocation counsellor)
• Jim Paupst as Himself
• Stanley Warshaw as Himself (Forty Plus Club, N.Y.C.)

See also

• Docufiction
• List of docufiction films

External links

• After the Axe at IMDb
• Watch After the Axe, National Film Board of Canada website