Up until now, I’ve been working quietly behind the scenes, not only to finish Cine Persia but outlining some exciting future projects. Today, I decided to pull back the curtain to give you a peek at some of these projects. Over the coming months, I’ll be posting a series of retrospective features, each aiming to build the foundation for a future, definitive Cine Bijou Presents collection.

I want Cine Bijou Presents to be more than a collection of books. My dream is for it to be a curation of alternative film history. Here is a teaser of some of these projects.

Beyond the Blockbuster: The Biography of The Asylum Studios

A project over 6 years in the making, and was intended to be my first book. After a long pause, and once Cine Persia is finished and available, I’ll restart this literary love letter. Love them or loathe them (and I definitely love them), you cannot ignore them. Through collected interviews with The Asylum’s partners and key talents behind the camera I’ll open the door on the shameless corporate history of the studio that cracked the home-video and streaming algorithms with titles like Transmorphers and the infamous ‘Sharknado’ saga. This is not a tell-all exposé but a wild ride into how this little studio created a global cinematic phenomenon.

The Twilight of the Analog Witness: 1980s War Journalist Cinema

Forget gun slinging cowboys and rogue detectives: war journalists are both reel and real heroes. Tapping into my affection for the war correspondence from Sydney Schanberg to Rick Boyle I want to dive deeply into that explosive, cynical decade where the war movie traded its rifles for press badges. From the horror of a family’s worst nightmare in Missing (1982) and the operatic trauma of The Killing Fields (1984), to the drug-fuelled gonzo chaos of Salvador (1986) I’ll reflect on how Hollywood stylised the “reel” drama versus the raw, real-world of war reporting.

Strike First: How Karate Became Cinema’s Unlikely Hero

Before The Karate Kid turned martial arts into the ultimate tool for the cinematic underdog, Karate was viewed with a very different lens. No martial art feature in film has gone through such a sociological evolution as Karate. For decades it was the fighting art of choice for Japanese and European (sometimes American) warriors to inflict oppression and humiliation on the Chinese nation. As an avid Karate-ka myself I will have fun chronicling how Karate was the brutal bad guy of fighting arts until The Karate Kid ushered in its esoteric age.

Against All Odds: The Highs and Tragic Lows of Orion Pictures

If you enjoyed epic cinema through the 80s and 90s you should recognise Orion Pictures. Be it sci-fi action classic ‘Robocop’ or Kevin Costner suprise epic western ‘Dances with Wolves’ the studio produced films that define the words ‘timeless’ and ‘classic’ Orion was a studio that gave directors total creative freedom, resulting in back-to-back Best Picture Oscars like Platoon, Amadeus, and The Silence of the Lambs. At the same time it was, much like Cannon Films, sliding into catastrophic financial ruin. I’ll be looking into the mavericks that drove the studio through its highs and lows, celebrating the best and worst of the studio’s output.

Visual Grit: The Outlaw Cinema of Peter Hyams

Although not with some due credit, Peter Hyams remains one of the unsund cinematic heroes of cinema. He is, without a doubt, one of the greatest genre directors of the 70s, 80s, and 90s and must be given his absolute due. Peter Hyams is a director who was a beast when to come to style insisting on acting as his own Director of Photography. From conspiracy thriller ‘Capricorn One’ to satanic action adventure ‘End of Days’ I’ll be delving into his signature visual style.

Cine Bristol: A Heritage Written in Celluloid

And finally, a project incredibly close to my heart since I am Bristol born and mostly bred. This book will be a journey, mapping the rich, localised history of Bristol as a true City of Film - designated officially in 2017 by UNESCO. From the overlooked cine pioneer William Friese-Green to its growth as a premier global shooting location and independent cinema hub, Cine Bristol will be the definitive cinematic geography of my home town.

Roll the Film

In the run up to these projects I’ll be posting retrospectives and reflections - a form of B-roll if you like to tease these future features. I will bring my own brand of humorous, sharp film criticism, behind-the-scenes production insight, and the sort of context one expects from a cultural film historian.

The projector is running.

1. On Capturing Vital Voices

The heart of Cine Persia is the insight of the filmmakers who shaped Iranian cinema. Their work showcases Iranian stories, whether born within the Motherland or across the diaspora. However, securing first-hand interviews can be a logistical puzzle of vast time differences and demanding schedules. Sometimes, life simply gets in the way. Because several filmmakers whose perspectives are vital to this work were delayed, I felt it would be wrong to publish without them. This extension ensures I can include the talent whose work speaks volumes about the Iranian experience.

2. The “Remote Work” Reality Check

I’ve learned the hard way that working while on holiday isn’t as seamless as it seems.

Unless your luggage allowance includes a desk lamp, a wide-screen monitor, and a high-performance laptop, finishing a book from a beach is a tall order. While my Chromebook is excellent for field research and social media, it lacks the horsepower for heavy book editing. Limited RAM and a spotty internet connection turn a simple task—like editing a 5,000-word chapter with high-res images—into an up hill climb. While I’ve cleared a mountain of research, the final compilation requires the stability of my home studio to bring it all together.

3. Navigating the Technical Landscape

As an advocate for independent film, I’ve spent a lot of time weighing the best e-shop formats and publishing platforms. I wanted a solution that stayed true to my indie roots and at the same time remaining professional. Unfortunately, I hit several technical roadblocks that meant Cine Persia wouldn’t have functioned perfectly on its original launch day. I’ve gone back to the drawing board to recalibrate and course-correct. My priority now is ensuring the platform I choose provides the best possible accessibility and reach for my readers.

Closing Thoughts

Stepping back to move forward is never an easy decision, but for a project as close to my heart as Cine Persia, I refuse to settle for “well that’ll do.” This extra month will allow me to polish the design, secure the remaining vital voices, and ensure that the shop experience is as seamless as the films I’m writing about. Thank you for your continued support and for joining me on this journey through the lens of Iranian cinema.

Save the Date: 31st May 2026 Cine Persia will be available at https://cine-bijou.co.uk

I read with heavy heart and growing disdain the reports of yesterday’s attacks on Iran by U.S. and Israeli military forces. While official reports focus on “military bases and leadership compounds,” the reality on the ground includes the confirmed death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the tragic loss of over 100 schoolgirls at an elementary school near a targeted site.

So, it begins.

I could write at length about the geopolitical fallout of these events, but instead, I want to talk about what this means for my upcoming eBook, ‘Cine Persia: Voices of Iranian Cinema.’

The Purpose

Iran has been in the crosshairs of the West long before Donald Trump’s return to office. However, since his inauguration, the rhetoric and military action have shifted into high gear—marked by the return of the travel ban and this latest round of strikes. Cine Persia was born out of a desire to provide a necessary counter-narrative to the portrayal of Iran as merely a “rogue state.” My goal has always been to showcase Iranian voices, their narratives, and their fundamental humanity.

When Western leaders speak of “regime change,” an entire society is often reduced to a “security problem” or a “threat.” There is a sharp irony in claiming to “help” a people while framing their existence through the lens of war. I believe that art, storytelling, and cinema are the most urgent forms of resistance against such reductive portrayals.

The Mission

Far from being mouthpieces for a regime, Iranian filmmakers make visible the humanity that exists behind the political headlines. Their works centre on the personal: stories of love, exile, loss, and resilience. Films like Motherland and Hamdardi give faces and histories to a people frequently described only in broad, abstract political language.

At a time when the Iranian people are once again thrust into the centre of a global conflict, their voices must be preserved and amplified. Moving beyond geopolitical analysis, Cine Persia has taken on an urgent mission: to place Iranian voices back into a human context through the art they create about themselves and their world.

For every headline, there are millions of stories involving families, laughter, grief, and dreams. My goal for Cine Persia is to ensure those voices are the ones that linger long after the news cycle moves on.

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When I proposed the book idea to the studio heads, David Latt (one of the original founders) asked why? My Answer was simple; the studio’s rise to infamy is a true underdog tale. They are a band of creatives who think outside the box, takes risk with film projects that on paper seem impossible and make them a reality; a tale that deserves to be told. My answer was basically, ‘why not?’

‘Beyond The Blockbuster: The Asylum’s Unconventional Cinema’ is an in-depth biography of the studio’s rise from a distributor of low budget horror films during the VHS / DVD era to one of the biggest and most successful independent film companies. Featuring exclusive interviews with partners David Latt, David Rimawi, and Paul Bales this is their story told from their viewpoint along with key talents in front and behind the cameras.

Their growth in an extremely competitive independent market has seen The Asylum become a notoriously recogniseable brand with their infamous Mockbusters. Their infamy has also put them in the firing line of the major studios. As a film nerd, professional writer, and Asylum addict the opportunity to help tell their story is a dream come true.

Research started during lockdown - as a good a time as any to star, aiming for a 2022 release - the studios 25th anniversary. Lockdown threw everybody out of sorts and I was no exception - it took me a while to find my writing feet again, and now that I have there will be no stopping me. Chapters have been drafted and I’m nearly halfway there. There are a few more key players to speak to to complete the stories, and a final sit down or two with The Asylum’s wardens. So, get ready as I pry open the doors to the Asylum for a grand tour of the home of the Mockbusters.

Are you an Asylum fan? What are some of your favourite titles from these indie film mavericks? Are you a Sharknado nut like me or do you find your self adrift on the Atlantic Rim? Maybe you enjoy the thrill of running from Snakes on a Train? What are you looking forward to finding about the studio the most? Let me know in the comments, or connect me Ramon Writes on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky. There are also Threads and Instagram accounts for the book. Follow me there for more updates.