Quiet Heroes: The Journey of a Mural/ El Viaje de un Mural
(Feature Film in Development)
“Watch the trailer
Watch the full short
Feature Synopsis
This film began as a short documentary about IDEAL PDX, a Latino artist collective that has been active in Portland for over a decade. IDEAL PDX not only represents artists, but also fosters culture through workshops, public events, and art showings.
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When the pandemic hit and the arts community was struggling, the Portland Art Museum invited IDEAL PDX — one of two groups selected — to create a live mural inside the museum. Their task was to reimagine the tradition of Mexican Modernism, honoring the legacy of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera while bringing their own voices forward. Years later, the mural emerged from storage to become part of a new art installation at the newly built La Plaza Esperanza.
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This story became more than a mural.
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Once we began interviewing the artists, it became clear there was something much bigger here than a single work of art. Each artist’s individual journey — their artwork, families, studios, and cultural roots — revealed how IDEAL PDX became their support system and a catalyst for change.
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The mural itself became a metaphor for their perseverance and their shared determination to bring art into the world, even in the most difficult of times.
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At the center of it all is Jessica Lagunas, whose vision rippled outward in ways she never imagined, transforming both the artists and the community around them.
Sinopsis del largometraje
Esta película comenzó como un cortometraje sobre IDEAL PDX, un colectivo de artistas latinos que ha estado activo en Portland por más de una década. IDEAL PDX no solo representa a los artistas, sino que también fomenta la cultura a través de talleres, eventos públicos y exposiciones de arte.
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Cuando llegó la pandemia y la comunidad artística atravesaba un momento difícil, el Museo de Arte de Portland invitó a IDEAL PDX — uno de dos grupos seleccionados — a crear un mural en vivo dentro del museo. Su tarea fue reinterpretar la tradición del Modernismo Mexicano, honrando el legado de Frida Kahlo y Diego Rivera mientras aportaban sus propias voces. Años después, el mural salió del almacenamiento para formar parte de una nueva instalación artística en el recién construido La Plaza Esperanza.
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Esta historia se convirtió en algo más que un mural.
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Al comenzar a entrevistar a los artistas, quedó claro que había algo mucho más grande que una sola obra de arte. Las trayectorias individuales de cada artista — sus obras, familias, estudios y raíces culturales — revelaron cómo IDEAL PDX se convirtió en su apoyo y en un catalizador de cambio.
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El mural mismo se convirtió en un símbolo de su perseverancia y de su determinación compartida de dar arte al mundo, incluso en los momentos más difíciles.
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En el centro de todo está Jessica Lagunas, cuya visión tuvo un impacto mucho mayor de lo que ella misma imaginó, transformando tanto a los artistas como a la comunidad a su alrededor.
Recognition/Reconocimiento
The short documentary premiered at the historic Hollywood Theatre as part of Cine | Seen 2025, a curated showcase of Pacific Northwest filmmakers. Audience response confirmed strong interest in expanding the story into a feature-length film, now in development.
El cortometraje se estrenó en el histórico Teatro Hollywood como parte de Cine | Seen 2025, una muestra curada de cineastas del Noroeste del Pacífico. La respuesta del público confirmó un gran interés en ampliar la historia en un largometraje, actualmente en desarrollo.
Support the Project/Apoya el Proyecto
We’re currently accepting contributions via
Venmo @Gudsy
(PayPal option coming soon).
For questions or more information, reach us at idealpdxdoc@gmail.com
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Finishing a feature documentary requires professional support beyond what I can do alone. This film has been self-funded so far. Your support will:
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Help cover professional post-production costs (sound mix, score, subtitles, color).
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Allow us to fairly compensate the volunteer crew who gave their time to bring this story to life.
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Ensure a portion goes back to IDEAL PDX, supporting the artists and their community work.​
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Every donation directly contributes to finishing Quiet Heroes: The Journey of a Mural and sharing this story with audiences and festivals. All contributions go directly toward completing the film and supporting the community it represents — none of it is for profit.
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Thank you for helping us honor the collaboration, dedication, and spirit at the heart of this project. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us move closer to sharing this story with the world.