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
- Aerie ... (Director)
- June Leaf ... (Director)
- Robert and June (Cape Breton and NYC) ... (Director)
2022
- Ballad of Philip Guston ... (Director)
- Or Nothing (The Double) ... (Director)
2019
- Makeshift (for Mekas) ... (Editor)
2018
- Vox Populi ... (Director)
- This Climate ... (Director)
- NYC Weights and Measures ... (Director)
2017
- Birth of a Nation ... (Director)
2016
- World Without End (No Reported Incidents) ... (Director)
- Peter Hutton ... (Director)
- Bury Me Not ... (Director)
- On Essex Road ... (Director)
2015
- Counting ... (Sound Designer)
- We Have an Anchor ... (Director)
2014
- The Film That Buys the Cinema ... (Director)
2013
- Helianthus Corner Blues ... (Director)
2012
- 20 Little Films ... (Director)
- Museum Hours ... (Director)
2011
- Gravity Hill Newsreels: Occupy Wall Street ... (Director)
- Real Birds ... (Director)
2010
- Crossing Paths with Luce Vigo ... (Director)
- Anne Truitt, Working ... (Director)
2009
- Chinatown Film Project ... (Director)
- Le bled (Buildings in a Field) ... (Director)
- Long for the City (Patti Smith in New York) ... (Director)
- Night Scene New York ... (Director)
2008
- The Passage Clock: For Walter Benjamin ... (Director)
- Half The Battle ... (Director)
- Evening's Civil Twilight in Empires of Tin ... (Director)
2007
- free ... (Director)
- Spirit (Smells Like Teen Spirit) ... (Director)
2006
- Building a Broken Mousetrap ... (Director)
- Blessed are the Dreams of Men ... (Director)
2004
- Chain ... (Writer)
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)
- Blood Orange Sky ... (Director)
- Amber City ... (Director)
1997
- Museum ... (Director)
- Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith Portrait ... (Director)
1996
- Lost Book Found ... (Director)
1995
- Nightswimming ... (Director)
1994
- Buried in Light ... (Director)
1992
- Black Hole Radio ... (Editor)
1991
- R.E.M. - This Film Is On ... (Director)
- Drink Deep ... (Director)
- Sketches for Late City Final ... (Director)
1989
- Glueman ... (Director)
- Just Hold Still ... (Director)
- 4:44 (from her house home) as Narrator
- Light Years ... (Director)
1987
- Matewan ... (Assistant Property Master)
- This Is a History of New York ... (Director)
1986
- At Close Range ... (Assistant Property Master)