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)
2020
- Opened Ending ... (Director)
2019
- Makeshift (for Mekas) ... (Cinematography)
- Tree Song ... (Director)
2018
- MARC RIBOT FEAT. TOM WAITS – Bella Ciao (Goodbye Beautiful) ... (Director)
- This Climate ... (Director)
- Vox Populi ... (Director)
- NYC Weights and Measures ... (Director)
2017
- Birth of a Nation ... (Director)
2016
- Peter Hutton ... (Director)
- World Without End (No Reported Incidents) ... (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)
- Long for the City (Patti Smith in New York) ... (Director)
- Le bled (Buildings in a Field) ... (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
- Spirit (Smells Like Teen Spirit) ... (Director)
- free ... (Director)
2006
- Building a Broken Mousetrap ... (Director)
- Blessed are the Dreams of Men ... (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
- Little Flags ... (Director)
- Benjamin Smoke ... (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)
1995
- Nightswimming ... (Director)
1994
- Buried in Light ... (Director)
1992
- Black Hole Radio ... (Director)
1991
- R.E.M. - This Film Is On ... (Director)
- Drink Deep ... (Director)
- Sketches for Late City Final ... (Director)
1989
- Light Years ... (Director)
- Glueman ... (Director)
- 4:44 (from her house home) as Narrator
- Just Hold Still ... (Director)
1987
- Matewan ... (Assistant Property Master)
- This Is a History of New York ... (Director)
1986
- At Close Range ... (Assistant Property Master)