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The Unorthodox Worship: 7 Shocking Secrets Of Portland’s Church Of Film And Curator Muriel Lucas

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In a city celebrated for its "Keep Portland Weird" ethos, there is one weekly gathering that elevates cinematic obsession to a form of religious devotion: the Church of Film. This unorthodox screening series, which remains a vibrant and essential part of the Portland arts scene as of late 2025, is not merely a movie night—it is a pilgrimage for cinephiles seeking the strange, the lost, and the completely overlooked treasures of world cinema.

The series is a direct rebellion against the commercial, popcorn-soaked experience of modern multiplexes, offering a meticulously curated journey into the deep cuts of film history. Founded on a philosophy of cinematic fundamentalism, the Church of Film is where you go to pray for the future of cinema by resurrecting its forgotten past.

The High Priestess of Obscurity: Muriel Lucas’s Biography and Vision

The entire, sprawling universe of the Church of Film is the creation of one singular vision: that of curator and cinephile Muriel Lucas. Lucas is the driving force and primary researcher behind every single screening, dedicating countless hours to unearthing films that often exist only on decaying prints or in obscure archives. Lucas’s background informs the deeply political and often radical nature of the programming.

  • Name: Muriel Lucas
  • Role: Founder, Curator, and Primary Researcher of Church of Film
  • Founding Year of CoF: 2013
  • Philosophical Alignment: Anarchist and dedicated cinephile
  • Inspiration: The guerrilla theater productions for peasants by Spanish poet and playwright Federico Garcia Lorca
  • Key Contribution: Dedicated to adding English subtitles to works of cinema that have never been properly translated, ensuring accessibility for overlooked masterpieces like the Angolan liberation film *Sambizanga*
  • Mission: To challenge the dominance of Hollywood and mainstream cinema by showcasing "films born from starvation" and works that push the boundaries of artistic expression

Lucas’s work is not a hobby; it is a profound act of preservation. By personally researching, compiling, and often subtitling these lost works, Lucas ensures that crucial pieces of global film history are not simply forgotten in the age of streaming algorithms and blockbuster saturation. This dedication is the "fundamentalist" core of the Church of Film.

7 Shocking Secrets to Church of Film’s Unorthodox Programming

What sets the Church of Film apart from other repertory cinemas in Portland—or indeed, the entire West Coast—is its fearless commitment to the truly bizarre, the politically charged, and the aesthetically radical. The programming is a masterclass in topical authority, weaving together forgotten genres, political movements, and rare international prints. Here are the most compelling aspects of their unique cinematic ministry:

1. The Sanctuary: A Historic Venue for Radical Film

The Church of Film’s current and most consistent home is the iconic Clinton Street Theater (CST) in Southeast Portland, where screenings take place weekly on Wednesdays. The CST, famous for its long-running *Rocky Horror Picture Show* screenings, provides the perfect, slightly-grungy, deeply historic backdrop for Lucas's unorthodox selections.

The series was initially founded in 2013 at the North Star Ballroom, a former Odd Fellows hall in North Portland, before finding its permanent sanctuary at the Clinton Street Theater. This venue-hopping history underscores the series' pop-up, guerrilla-style origins, inspired by Lorca's revolutionary theater.

2. Resurrecting the Lost and Subversive Movements

The Church of Film is a world-leader in highlighting specific, often politically subversive, international film movements that are barely known in the United States. Key examples include:

  • The Yugoslavian Black Wave: A movement of uncompromising, often bleak, and politically critical films from the former Yugoslavia, known for their experimental style and social commentary.
  • Films of the Third Cinema: Lucas frequently screens works that fit the "Third Cinema" framework—films from developing nations that reject both Hollywood (First Cinema) and European Art Cinema (Second Cinema) to focus on liberation and anti-colonial struggle, such as the Angolan film *Sambizanga*.
  • Czech and Slovak New Wave: Showcasing psychedelic and absurdist works like Juraj Jakubisko's films, often considered the Czechoslovakian New Wave’s most eccentric output.

3. The Deep Dive into Cult and Genre Extremes

While intellectual and political films are common, the series is equally devoted to the most outlandish and mind-blowing examples of genre cinema. These are not the well-known cult classics, but the truly obscure titles that push boundaries. Recent and past screenings confirm a focus on:

  • Horror and Folk Horror, such as the Soviet-era classic *VIY: SPIRIT OF EVIL*.
  • Surreal and Bizarre European films like *THE EXQUISITE CADAVER*.
  • Obscure Science Fiction, including the Czech film *TO THE STARS BY HARD WAYS*.
  • Rare political thrillers and dramas like *THE DAMNED HOUSE OF HAJN* (1989).

4. The Anarchist Influence on Selection

Muriel Lucas, as an avowed anarchist, often programs films that directly engage with themes of revolution, anti-capitalism, and social justice. The series has explicitly featured films considered "the most honest films about anarchism in world cinema," such as *Rebellion in Patagonia*. This political lens ensures the programming is always confrontational, educational, and deeply relevant to counter-cultural movements.

5. The Sacred Act of Subtitling

One of the most vital acts of the Church of Film is the curator’s personal work in translation. Many of the films screened are so rare that no English-language version exists. Lucas has taken on the monumental task of adding new, original English subtitles to these works, effectively saving them from obscurity and making them accessible to a new generation of American audiences.

6. The Anti-Netflix Manifesto

The Church of Film operates as a direct counterpoint to the passive, algorithm-driven experience of streaming platforms. Lucas has stated that being stuck in quarantine with only Netflix to watch would be a "nightmare". The series’ existence is a passionate argument for the communal, physical experience of watching a film in a theater, especially one that requires effort to unearth and appreciate. It’s a space for Portland weirdos who crave the obscure and the communal.

7. The Name’s True Origin

The name "Church of Film" is not a mere gimmick. It stems from a deeply-held belief in the power and necessity of cinema, with Lucas essentially "praying for the future of cinema" by preserving its past. The name is also partially inspired by a 1987 exhibition catalog and book of the same name, lending the project a deeper intellectual and art-historical pedigree. The devotees who attend are often referred to as "movie fundamentalists," reflecting the seriousness of their commitment to true art house cinema.

The Church of Film’s Role in Portland’s Independent Cinema Ecosystem

While the Church of Film operates on a decidedly underground level, its presence is crucial to the broader Portland independent film scene. It serves a niche that even established institutions cannot fill, acting as the city’s most radical repertory series. It complements the programming of other key entities in the area, such as the more mainstream Hollywood Theatre and the academic focus of the Portland Art Museum’s Northwest Film Center.

The series’ dedication to showcasing works that might otherwise be lost—from Soviet-era sci-fi to rare Italian horror (*THE DEMON (1963)*) and Czech new wave (*FERAT*)—cements Portland’s reputation as a city that cherishes its cult and art house history. The Church of Film is a living, breathing testament to the idea that the best cinema is often found far from the spotlight, waiting to be worshipped by the truly devoted.

If you find yourself in Portland on a Wednesday night and are tired of the same old releases, the Church of Film at the Clinton Street Theater offers a genuine spiritual experience. It’s a chance to witness cinematic history, curated with a passion that borders on the religious, and to join a community of cinephiles dedicated to the weird, wild, and wonderful world of overlooked art.

The Unorthodox Worship: 7 Shocking Secrets of Portland’s Church of Film and Curator Muriel Lucas
church of film portland
church of film portland

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