Welcome back to Latent Images.

We only say “welcome back” because Latent Images has been a part of the Emerson community since 1989. A club dedicated to discussion of film criticism on campus, Latent Images published its own magazine and website until it lost traction in 2003. In the last seventeen years, so much has changed: digital cameras are now industry standard; Disney become a world conglomerate; and Blockbuster seems like an urban legend. What has not changed, however, is a need for intelligent film criticism. As filmmakers and consumers, we must continue to interrogate our medium. Why do we like it? What does it say about ourselves and our world? What is missing or not working here? These questions are evolving and multi-layered, and continue to beguile us seventeen years later.

Having an on-campus outlet to write and discuss this subject matter is just as important as learning the tools on set and in the lab. Latent Images is here to provide such a resource and help further expand our love of film. With this rebranding, we aim to bring the late-night dorm room rants, the conversations from a long walk back from the Coolidge or The Brattle to a public space, and dining hall arguments about auteurs to a shared online space. A mission of ours is to bring in the many talented voices of Emerson—and when we say Emerson, we mean all Emerson College students (and also some students outside of our institution!) Even though we may have a dedicated writing staff, all writings and art and voices are welcome and respected. Film, as a medium, possesses the transcendent ability to amass a community of lovers, fanatics and casual watchers of all stripes; here at Latent Images, we recognize this and embrace it.

So welcome back, it’s been a long time coming. There’s so much we need to catch up on!