Deloping

On July 21st 1792, Mary and Emma settled their differences the only way they knew how: a duel to the death!

Deloping takes viewers on a hilarious journey to the British countryside in 1792, where two women, Mary and Emma, are preparing for a pistol duel. As they exchange witty banter, it becomes clear that Emma is not skilled in counting and shooting. This leads to several hilarious moments of confusion and miscommunication.

As the tension builds towards the impending duel, the music adds to the suspense. However, when Emma fires her gun in the air, intentionally missing Mary, things take a comedic turn. Mary and Emma continue to bicker, with Mary's exasperation at her friend's ineptitude adding to the humour. They debate why Mary brought more than one bullet. "It's what the men do," Mary says.

The witty and playful dialogue between Mary and Emma makes for an enjoyable comedy. Emma's lack of experience and Mary's exasperation provide ample opportunity for humour. Will the two women ever successfully complete their duel?

Deloping is a clever and entertaining comedy celebrating the absurdity of a pistol duel. The film leaves audiences guessing until the very end, with a shocking conclusion. With its charming characters and witty writing, Deloping is sure to leave viewers laughing and entertained.

  • Jon Olav Stokke
    Director
    Our Father's Cabin, The Station Master
  • Tom Mair
    Writer
  • Fiona Boakes
    Producer
  • Eleanor Morton
    Key Cast
    "Emma"
  • Lola-Rose Maxwell
    Key Cast
    "Mary"
    Starstruck, Doctors
  • Chloé Deleplace
    Director of Photography
    Ada, L'Urinateur, Boxers or Briefs
  • Kitty Bennett
    Costume Designer
    The English, The Last Duel
  • Jonathan Gregory
    Sound Recordist
  • Henni Wellian
    Make-Up & Hair
  • Paulina Masternak
    Focus Puller
  • Samuel Karl Bohn
    Composer
    Our Father's Cabin, Cognition, The Cleaner
  • Alex Murray
    Visual Effects Artist
    The Last Tree, Gun Shy, McQueen, God's Own Country
  • Lara Wood
    Production Coordinator
    Our Father's Cabin
  • Alex Outhwaite
    SFX Editor & Re-Recording Mixer
    Under the Shadow, Looted, Our Father's Cabin
  • Baptiste Waneukem
    Dialogue Editor & Re-Recording Mixer
    SAS: Red Notice, McQueen, Our Father's Cabin
  • Jon Olav Stokke
    Editor
    Our Father's Cabin
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 54 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 12, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    8,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Alexa Mini
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Edinburgh International Film Festival
    Edinburgh
    United Kingdom
    August 12, 2022
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival
    Providence, RI
    United States
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Nordic Panorama Film Festival
    Malmö
    Sweden
    September 24, 2022
    Swedish Premiere
    Nominated for New Nordic Voice Competition
  • Bolton International Film Festival
    Bolton
    United Kingdom
    October 8, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Discover.Film Awards
    London
    United Kingdom
    October 1, 2022
    London Premiere
    Best Period Comedy Film
  • Norwich Film Festival
    Norwich
    United Kingdom
    November 13, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Chicago International Film Festival
    Chicago
    United States
    October 21, 2022
    Chicago Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Sunderland Shorts Film Festival
    Sunderland
    United Kingdom
    October 17, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Short Com International Comedy Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    November 7, 2022
    Official Selection
  • International Film Festival of Wales
    Brynmawr
    United Kingdom
    November 26, 2022
    Welsh Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Oxford International Film Festival
    Oxford
    United Kingdom
    December 8, 2022
    Oxfordshire Premiere
    Best UK Short
  • Shorts On Tap
    London
    United Kingdom
    February 9, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Oslo Film Festival
    Oslo
    Norway
    February 23, 2023
    Norwegian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Dakota Film Festival
    Bismarck, North Dakota
    United States
    March 31, 2023
    North Dakota Premiere
    Official Selection
  • LOCO London Comedy Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    May 14, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Indy Shorts International Film Festival
    Indianapolis
    United States
    July 19, 2023
    Indiana Premiere
    Official Selection
  • HollyShorts Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    August 16, 2023
    California Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Jon Olav Stokke

In 2009, I moved to London from Norway to study film at Met Film School and got a part-time freelance job at a local post-production company which introduced me to the industry. I graduated with a BA in Film- and Television communication; since then, I have continued my directorial career directing music videos and self-funded short films.

My graduation short film, “The Station Master”, was screened at the renowned short film festival: Palm Springs International ShortFest and San Diego International Film Festival, to mention a few. After a successful festival run, I could continue my directorial career directing music videos whilst also freelancing as an editor. Directing music videos gave me invaluable storytelling knowledge. I am grateful for having had the opportunity early in my filmmaking career to film with a steam train, burning down a house with the help of an entire fire department, filming with a reindeer and shooting on top of a mountain in a foggy rainstorm. This helped me hone my skills as a fast and hard-working director with a positive attitude, where nothing is impossible.

In 2019, I wrote and directed the Norwegian short film “Our Father’s Cabin”. It premiered at Palm Springs International ShortFest, then continued to Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival and finished the festival circuit in Norway at Bergen International Film Festival.

Late last year, I directed and edited the comedy short film “Deloping”. It was written by Tom Mair and produced by Fiona Boakes. Starring Lola-Rose Maxwell and Eleanor Morton. In August, it will premiere at the esteemed Edinburgh International Film Festival.

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Director Statement

Unless you bought shares in a mask manufacturer in late 2019, the chances are the last two years have been pretty shit. Sorry, I shouldn’t say shit- I should say fucking shit. Because for all of us, one way or another, the past two years have been fucking shit.

At various points, actors couldn’t act, directors couldn’t direct, and Film festivals couldn’t festival- you get the idea. And so, from that creatively frustrated bunch came an idea to shoot a short film that defied every piece of advice filmmakers are told before making a short film: Don’t shoot outside. Don’t do period. Don’t forget to back up your rushes- OK, to be fair, we really should have listened to that last one, BUT the other two points still stand.

Shot on location in Wales, Brecon Beacons. The result of this anti-inside, anti-present day sentiment was DELOPING. A short film set outside, over two hundred years ago, based on the true story of women duellists – something we’d never seen on screen before. Combining this concept with the comic talent of Lola and Eleanor meant that, with the help of an excellent crew, we had a lot of fun making a funny short film.