BRISTOL, UK — A Bristol-based film writer is set to launch a new e-book shining a light on one of the most vital and sometimes overlooked cinematic movements in the world today. ‘Cine Persia: Voices of Iranian Cinema’, was created by Cine Bijou founder Ramon Youseph.
It explores the rise of contemporary Iranian filmmaking from internationally acclaimed directors to emerging diaspora voices. The book’s goal is to position Iranian cinema as a powerful form of cultural expression, diplomacy, and dissent.
Featuring interviews, and original reviews, the book examines how Iranian filmmakers have achieved global recognition at prestigious film institutions. They are recognised by the Oscars and the Cannes Film Festival, yet often navigatie the choppy waters censorship, exile, and political pressure.
Speaking about the project, Ramon said:
“Too often Iran is reduced to headlines and political rhetoric. We’re seeing this played out in the news cycle everyday. Cine Persia is about shifting that focus by highlighting Iranian filmmakers as artists, storytellers, and cultural voices. These powerful cinematic works speak to the universal human experiences of the Iranian people.”
The book features analysis of films, including: ‘A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night’, alongside emerging works such as Motherland and Hamdardi. ‘Cine Persia’ offers a platform for both established and new-generation filmmakers.
Developed through Cine Bijou – an independent film platform dedicated to championing global and underrepresented cinema – the project aims to bring Iranian film culture to wider audiences in the UK and beyond.
Cine Persia is scheduled for release on 30 April, with further details and previews available via Cine Bijou.
About Cine Bijou
Cine Bijou is an independent digital platform dedicated to supporting and celebrating the “Essential Stories of Indie Film.” Founded by Ramon Youseph (aka Ramon Writes). It is a boutique media platform and publishing imprint focused on the preservation and promotion of independent film culture.
At its core, Cine Bijou is a space for ‘Essential Stories’ diving deep into the history of cult studios, emerging diaspora voices, and the artistic legacies of global cinema. Developed as a home for original long-form content, the platform produces the Cine Bijou Podcast and the Cine Bijou Presents book series. From Oscar-qualifying shorts to the rich heritage of Iranian filmmaking, Cine Bijou positions cinema not just as entertainment, but as a vital form of cultural expression and historical record.
The Author
Ramon is a UK-born writer and journalist of Assyrian/Persian and English/Irish heritage. After spending his early childhood in Iran, he returned to the UK in 1979 following the Revolution. This turned out to be a formative transition that instilled a lifelong fascination with geopolitics and the intersection of culture and cinema. Following a career that spanned both mainstream journalism and the finance sector, he returned to his roots in 2009, launching the digital platform Ramon Writes, working as a journalist and copywriter. As the founder of Cine Bijou, Ramon now focuses on the “Essential Stories” of indie film, using his unique dual-cultural lens to explore cinema as a tool for diplomacy, dissent, and historical record.
Assets – Dropbox
Social Media
Instagram – @thecinebijou
Bluesky – @thecinebijou.bsky.social
Threads – @thecinebijou
TikTok – @thecinebijou
#supportindiefilm