The Elephant

An upper-class family is taken hostage in their own home. Although the facade is spotless, it becomes clear that the family is so dysfunctional that it is impossible for a simple gangster to get his job done.
This is a film about the superficial life you cling to, even when your darkest secrets are revealed.

  • John Emil Richardsen
    Director
  • John Emil Richardsen
    Writer
  • John Emil Richardsen
    Producer
  • Eirik Nikolai Heim
    Producer
  • Richard L. Butler
    Producer
  • Gjertrud Jynge
    Key Cast
    "Sissel"
  • Kristian Fredrik Figenschow
    Key Cast
    "Jahn"
  • Kristoffer Anker
    Key Cast
    "Børge"
  • Alexander Martinsen
    Key Cast
    "Gunnar"
  • Emilie Hallvardsdatter Østgård
    Key Cast
    "Jenny"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Elefanten
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Dark comedy, Comedy, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 26 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 13, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    55,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Norway
  • Country of Filming:
    Norway
  • Language:
    Norwegian
  • Shooting Format:
    35mm
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Tromsø
    Norway
    January 20, 2022
    National Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - John Emil Richardsen

John Emil Richardsen is a commercial director who recently moved in to fiction.
From teenage years up to his late twenties John Emil were doing writing and stage direction in humor shows. He started making films when he was 18, and studied film in Tønsberg.
John Emil took a good 10 year long break from film production between 2004-2014 when he was working with people in difficult life situations. The director claim that this is the best education you could have as a film maker. "You are collaborating with people to tell stories about people, to people.. How can you do that if you don't have in debt knowledge about people?"
After having success as a commercial director in the North of Norway for many years, Richardsen were ready to go back to where he paused back in 2004 and started producing fiction.

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Director Statement

My mission is to entertain. I would love to take on heavy subjects and ask the big questions, but always entertain.