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
2025
- Films For Freedom ... (Director)
2024
- June Leaf ... (Director)
- Aerie ... (Director)
- Little, Big, and Far ... (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
- Tree Song ... (Director)
- Makeshift (for Mekas) ... (Cinematography)
2018
- This Climate ... (Director)
- Vox Populi ... (Director)
- MARC RIBOT FEAT. TOM WAITS – Bella Ciao (Goodbye Beautiful) ... (Director)
- NYC Weights and Measures ... (Director)
2017
- Birth of a Nation ... (Director)
2016
- Peter Hutton ... (Director)
- On Essex Road ... (Director)
- Bury Me Not ... (Director)
- World Without End (No Reported Incidents) ... (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
- Real Birds ... (Director)
- Gravity Hill Newsreels: Occupy Wall Street ... (Director)
2010
- Crossing Paths with Luce Vigo ... (Director)
- Anne Truitt, Working ... (Director)
2009
- Long for the City (Patti Smith in New York) ... (Director)
- Chinatown Film Project ... (Director)
- Le bled (Buildings in a Field) ... (Director)
- Night Scene New York ... (Director)
2008
- Half The Battle ... (Director)
- The Passage Clock: For Walter Benjamin ... (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 ... (Director)
2003
- R.E.M.: In View 1988-2003 (The Best of R.E.M.) ... (Director)
2002
- The Foxx and Little Vic ... (Director)
2001
- Nice Evening, Transmission Down ... (Director)
- Sonic Cinema: Sparklehorse ... (Director)
2000
- Benjamin Smoke ... (Director)
- Little Flags ... (Director)
1999
- Amber City ... (Director)
- Instrument ... (Director)
- Blood Orange Sky ... (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 ... (Director)
1991
- Drink Deep ... (Director)
- Sketches for Late City Final ... (Director)
- R.E.M. - This Film Is On ... (Director)
1989
- Glueman ... (Director)
- Light Years ... (Director)
- Just Hold Still ... (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)