Jem Cohen
Born: 1962-01-01 in Kabul, Afghanistan
Known For: Directing
Biography
Born in Afghanistan, Jem Cohen is an American experimental filmmaker and photographer, especially known for his observational portraits of urban landscapes, blending of media formats, and collaborations with musicians. Cohen has worked extensively with musicians including Patti Smith, Fugazi, Terry Riley, R.E.M., Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Xylouris White, DJ Rupture, the Ex, Elliott Smith, Vic Chesnutt, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Matana Roberts, Jessica Moss, Jonathan Richman, T.Griffin/Catherine McRae, White Magic, and the Orpheus Orchestra with Gil Shaham, and has collaborated with writers Luc Sante and Sam Stephenson, and graphic artist Ben Katchor.
Filmography
2026
- Little, Big, and Far ... (Director)
2025
- Robert and June (and All the Time in the World) ... (Director)
2024
- Robert and June (Cape Breton and NYC) ... (Director)
- June Leaf ... (Director)
2022
- Or Nothing (The Double) ... (Director)
- Ballad of Philip Guston ... (Director)
2019
- Makeshift (for Mekas) ... (Cinematography)
2018
- This Climate ... (Director)
- Vox Populi ... (Director)
- NYC Weights and Measures ... (Director)
2017
- Birth of a Nation ... (Director)
2016
- World Without End (No Reported Incidents) ... (Director)
- On Essex Road ... (Director)
- Peter Hutton ... (Director)
- Bury Me Not ... (Director)
2015
- Counting ... (Sound Designer)
- We Have an Anchor ... (Director)
2014
- The Film That Buys the Cinema ... (Director)
2013
- Helianthus Corner Blues ... (Director)
2012
- Museum Hours ... (Director)
- 20 Little Films ... (Director)
2011
- Gravity Hill Newsreels: Occupy Wall Street ... (Director)
- Real Birds ... (Director)
2010
- Crossing Paths with Luce Vigo ... (Director)
- Anne Truitt, Working ... (Director)
2009
- Le bled (Buildings in a Field) ... (Director)
- Chinatown Film Project ... (Director)
- Long for the City (Patti Smith in New York) ... (Director)
- Night Scene New York ... (Director)
2008
- Evening's Civil Twilight in Empires of Tin ... (Director)
- The Passage Clock: For Walter Benjamin ... (Director)
- Half The Battle ... (Director)
2007
- Spirit (Smells Like Teen Spirit) ... (Director)
- A Tale of Two Cities (Viennale Trailer 2007) ... (Director)
2006
- Blessed are the Dreams of Men ... (Director)
- Building a Broken Mousetrap ... (Director)
2004
- Chain ... (Director)
2003
- R.E.M.: In View 1988-2003 (The Best of R.E.M.) ... (Director)
2002
- The Foxx and Little Vic ... (Director)
2001
- Sonic Cinema: Sparklehorse ... (Director)
- Nice Evening, Transmission Down ... (Director)
2000
- Benjamin Smoke ... (Director)
- Little Flags ... (Director)
1999
- Instrument ... (Director)
- Amber City ... (Director)
- Blood Orange Sky ... (Director)
1997
- Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith Portrait ... (Director)
- Museum ... (Director)
1996
- Lost Book Found ... (Director)
1994
- Buried in Light ... (Director)
1992
- Black Hole Radio ... (Director)
1991
- Drink Deep ... (Director)
- R.E.M. - This Film Is On ... (Director)
- Sketches for Late City Final ... (Director)
1989
- Glueman ... (Director)
- Just Hold Still ... (Director)
- Light Years ... (Director)
- 4:44 (from her house home) as Narrator
1987
- Matewan ... (Assistant Property Master)
- This Is a History of New York ... (Director)
1986
- At Close Range ... (Assistant Property Master)