Dark Comedy Takes a Fun Twist on Everyone’s Worst Nightmare… Running Into an EX
Los Angeles – Short Film Hold Up Heart, will be available Tuesday, September 15 on the film’s website, holdupheart.com and online platform, Vimeo.com.
Shot in Los Angeles by director Justin Zsebe (Problem of Evil, Vicious Circle, Til Parole Do Us Part) Hold Up Heart is a dark comedy written by and starring Edward Kiniry-Ostro (How I Met Your Mother, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Happy Endings), that tells the story of Jeff, a down and out assisant manager who decides to rob a convenience store to win back his ex-girlfriend. His plans go awry when he finds out that the person running the convenience store is… his ex.
Kiniry-Ostro was inspired to make the film after visiting his local convenience store saying, “living in Los Angeles, which places so much emphasis on self-worth, one can’t help but feel like they’re constantly failing. No one’s pretty enough, no one’s rich enough, but most certainly, no one’s good enough. Feelings of inadequacy waft through the hazy air. After walking to my local liquor store one night to grab some beer, an idea popped into my head. I loved the vibe of the place; it was a mom-and-pop shop that had some real character, character that hadn’t been photoshopped by the pristine eyes of Hollywood. I’ve always been drawn to comedy, which led to the basic premise of Hold Up Heart.Upon further development, I delved into the darker themes leading to the final product; a fun look at unrequited love in the face of hard truths.”
Hold Up Heart has screened at US and international film festivals including Hollyshorts, Action in Film, KahBang, and Concorto and has been nominated for several awards including Best Comedy Short, Best Actress in a Short, and Best Trailer at the Action Film Festival.