Person
Jem Cohen
Directing · Born 1962-01-01 · Kabul, Afghanistan
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.
Known for
Matewan
Assistant Property Master
At Close Range
Assistant Property Master
20 Little Films
Director
Little, Big, and Far
Director
Le bled (Buildings in a Field)
Director
Instrument
Director
Makeshift (for Mekas)
Cinematography
R.E.M. - This Film Is On
Director
Robert and June (and All the Time in the World)
Director
Benjamin Smoke
Director
Filmography
- 2026Little, Big, and FarDirector
- 2025Robert and June (and All the Time in the World)Director
- 2024AerieDirector
- 2024Robert and June (Cape Breton and NYC)Director
- 2024June LeafDirector
- 2022Ballad of Philip GustonDirector
- 2022Or Nothing (The Double)Director
- 2020Opened EndingDirector
- 2019Tree SongDirector
- 2019Makeshift (for Mekas)Cinematography
- 2018Vox PopuliDirector
- 2018MARC RIBOT FEAT. TOM WAITS – Bella Ciao (Goodbye Beautiful)Director
- 2018NYC Weights and MeasuresDirector
- 2018This ClimateDirector
- 2017Birth of a NationDirector
- 2016World Without End (No Reported Incidents)Director
- 2016Bury Me NotDirector
- 2016Peter HuttonDirector
- 2016On Essex RoadDirector
- 2015CountingSound Designer
- 2015We Have an AnchorDirector
- 2014The Film That Buys the CinemaDirector
- 2013Helianthus Corner BluesDirector
- 2012Museum HoursDirector
- 201220 Little FilmsDirector
- 2011Gravity Hill Newsreels: Occupy Wall StreetDirector
- 2011Real BirdsDirector
- 2010Anne Truitt, WorkingDirector
- 2010Crossing Paths with Luce VigoDirector
- 2009Chinatown Film ProjectDirector
- 2009Long for the City (Patti Smith in New York)Director
- 2009Le bled (Buildings in a Field)Director
- 2009Night Scene New YorkDirector
- 2008The Passage Clock: For Walter BenjaminDirector
- 2008Evening's Civil Twilight in Empires of TinDirector
- 2008Half The BattleDirector
- 2007freeDirector
- 2007Spirit (Smells Like Teen Spirit)Director
- 2006Building a Broken MousetrapDirector
- 2006Blessed are the Dreams of MenDirector
- 2004ChainDirector
- 2003R.E.M.: In View 1988-2003 (The Best of R.E.M.)Director
- 2002The Foxx and Little VicDirector
- 2001Nice Evening, Transmission DownDirector
- 2001Sonic Cinema: SparklehorseDirector
- 2000Benjamin SmokeDirector
- 2000Little FlagsDirector
- 1999InstrumentDirector
- 1999Amber CityDirector
- 1999Blood Orange SkyDirector
- 1997Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith PortraitDirector
- 1997MuseumDirector
- 1996Lost Book FoundDirector
- 1995NightswimmingDirector
- 1994Buried in LightDirector
- 1992Black Hole RadioDirector
- 1991R.E.M. - This Film Is OnDirector
- 1991Drink DeepDirector
- 1991Sketches for Late City FinalDirector
- 1989Just Hold StillDirector
- 19894:44 (from her house home)Narrator
- 1989Light YearsDirector
- 1989GluemanDirector
- 1987MatewanAssistant Property Master
- 1987This Is a History of New YorkDirector
- 1986At Close RangeAssistant Property Master
- —Gravity Hill Newsreels-Bella ciaoDirector
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