Jem Cohen

Jem Cohen

Directing · Born 1962-01-01 · Kabul, Afghanistan

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.

As cast

As director

Little, Big, and Far
Little, Big, and Far 2024
Director
No poster
Aerie 2024
Director
No poster
Robert and June (Cape Breton and NYC) 2024
Director
No poster
June Leaf 2024
Director
No poster
Or Nothing (The Double) 2022
Director
Ballad of Philip Guston
Ballad of Philip Guston 2022
Director
Opened Ending
Opened Ending 2020
Director
No poster
Tree Song 2019
Director
Makeshift (for Mekas)
Makeshift (for Mekas) 2019
Director
Vox Populi
Vox Populi 2018
Director
No poster
MARC RIBOT FEAT. TOM WAITS – Bella Ciao (Goodbye Beautiful) 2018
Director
NYC Weights and Measures
NYC Weights and Measures 2018
Director
This Climate
This Climate 2018
Director
Birth of a Nation
Birth of a Nation 2017
Director
World Without End (No Reported Incidents)
World Without End (No Reported Incidents) 2016
Director
Bury Me Not
Bury Me Not 2016
Director
No poster
Peter Hutton 2016
Director
On Essex Road
On Essex Road 2016
Director
Counting
Counting 2015
Director
No poster
We Have an Anchor 2015
Director
The Film That Buys the Cinema
The Film That Buys the Cinema 2014
Director
Helianthus Corner Blues
Helianthus Corner Blues 2013
Director
Museum Hours
Museum Hours 2012
Director
20 Little Films
20 Little Films 2012
Director
Gravity Hill Newsreels: Occupy Wall Street
Gravity Hill Newsreels: Occupy Wall Street 2011
Director
Real Birds
Real Birds 2011
Director
No poster
Anne Truitt, Working 2010
Director
Crossing Paths with Luce Vigo
Crossing Paths with Luce Vigo 2010
Director
No poster
Chinatown Film Project 2009
Director
Long for the City (Patti Smith in New York)
Long for the City (Patti Smith in New York) 2009
Director
No poster
Le bled (Buildings in a Field) 2009
Director
Night Scene New York
Night Scene New York 2009
Director
The Passage Clock: For Walter Benjamin
The Passage Clock: For Walter Benjamin 2008
Director
Evening's Civil Twilight in Empires of Tin
Evening's Civil Twilight in Empires of Tin 2008
Director
No poster
Half The Battle 2008
Director
free
free 2007
Director
Spirit (Smells Like Teen Spirit)
Spirit (Smells Like Teen Spirit) 2007
Director
No poster
Building a Broken Mousetrap 2006
Director
Blessed are the Dreams of Men
Blessed are the Dreams of Men 2006
Director
Chain
Chain 2004
Director
R.E.M.: In View 1988-2003 (The Best of R.E.M.)
R.E.M.: In View 1988-2003 (The Best of R.E.M.) 2003
Director
The Foxx and Little Vic
The Foxx and Little Vic 2002
Director
Nice Evening, Transmission Down
Nice Evening, Transmission Down 2001
Director
Sonic Cinema: Sparklehorse
Sonic Cinema: Sparklehorse 2001
Director
Benjamin Smoke
Benjamin Smoke 2000
Director
No poster
Little Flags 2000
Director
Instrument
Instrument 1999
Director
Amber City
Amber City 1999
Director
No poster
Blood Orange Sky 1999
Director
Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith Portrait
Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith Portrait 1997
Director
No poster
Museum 1997
Director
Lost Book Found
Lost Book Found 1996
Director
Nightswimming
Nightswimming 1995
Director
Buried in Light
Buried in Light 1994
Director
No poster
Black Hole Radio 1992
Director
No poster
R.E.M. - This Film Is On 1991
Director
Drink Deep
Drink Deep 1991
Director
No poster
Sketches for Late City Final 1991
Director
Just Hold Still
Just Hold Still 1989
Director
4:44 (from her house home)
4:44 (from her house home) 1989
Director
No poster
Light Years 1989
Director
Glueman
Glueman 1989
Director
This Is a History of New York
This Is a History of New York 1987
Director
No poster
Gravity Hill Newsreels-Bella ciao
Director