Oman today_ Michael Younesi, an Iranian-American writer and director, has wrapped production on Loose Ends, an independent dark comedy produced by Zero Gravity Management (The Accountant 2, Ozark) and LB Entertainment (The Apprentice, May December).
The film marks the Hollywood debut of renowned Iranian actress Vishka Asayesh, who plays a key role alongside newcomer Amir Afshari. Afshari stars as Jamsheed “Jerry” Shahbazi, a down-on-his-luck billboard lawyer who, in a desperate attempt to make money, gets involved in an insurance scam that quickly spirals out of control. Soon, he finds himself trapped in a dangerous triangle involving federal agents, the Armenian mob, and his own chaotic Persian family.
Details about Asayesh’s role have not yet been revealed. The cast also features hip-hop icon DJ Quik, actor and bodybuilder Mike O’Hearn (Magazine Dreams), and Latin TikTok star Llanteros503. The story is set and filmed in Los Angeles, home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran.
Asayesh first rose to prominence in the 1990s with her role in the historical TV series Imam Ali. Over the years, she has appeared in notable films such as Visitor of Rey, Ice Flower, and No Men Allowed. More recently, she was praised for her performance in Ali Samadi Ahadi’s Seven Days, which screened at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
Younesi previously served as executive producer and director of Netflix’s Project MC² and directed episodes of the Apple TV+ series Hello Jack!. He also wrote and directed the feature Adventure Force 5 and has created award-winning campaigns for brands including Old Spice, Disneyland, and Walmart. He is represented by Verve and Zero Gravity.