Jem Cohen

Directing·Jan 1, 1962·Kabul, Afghanistan

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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.

Film	Credit
Little, Big, and Far2026 · Director, Writer, Producer, Director of Photography	Director, Writer, Producer, Director of Photography
Robert and June (and All the Time in the World)2025 · Director	Director
Aerie2024 · Director	Director
RRobert and June (Cape Breton and NYC)2024 · Director	Director
JJune Leaf2024 · Director	Director
OOr Nothing (The Double)2022 · Director	Director
Ballad of Philip Guston2022 · Director	Director
Makeshift (for Mekas)2019 · Director	Director
Vox Populi2018 · Director	Director
NYC Weights and Measures2018 · Director	Director
This Climate2018 · Director	Director
Birth of a Nation2017 · Director	Director
World Without End (No Reported Incidents)2016 · Director	Director
Bury Me Not2016 · Director	Director
PPeter Hutton2016 · Director	Director
On Essex Road2016 · Director	Director
Counting2015 · Director, Producer	Director, Producer
WWe Have an Anchor2015 · Director	Director
The Film That Buys the Cinema2014 · Director	Director
Helianthus Corner Blues2013 · Director	Director
Museum Hours2012 · Director, Director of Photography, Producer, Writer	Director, Director of Photography, Producer, Writer
20 Little Films2012 · Director	Director
Gravity Hill Newsreels: Occupy Wall Street2011 · Director	Director
Real Birds2011 · Director	Director
AAnne Truitt, Working2010 · Director	Director
Crossing Paths with Luce Vigo2010 · Director	Director
CChinatown Film Project2009 · Director	Director
Long for the City (Patti Smith in New York)2009 · Director	Director
LLe bled (Buildings in a Field)2009 · Director	Director
Night Scene New York2009 · Director	Director
The Passage Clock: For Walter Benjamin2008 · Director	Director
Evening's Civil Twilight in Empires of Tin2008 · Director, Producer	Director, Producer
HHalf The Battle2008 · Director	Director
free2007 · Director	Director
Spirit (Smells Like Teen Spirit)2007 · Director	Director
BBuilding a Broken Mousetrap2006 · Director	Director
Blessed are the Dreams of Men2006 · Director	Director
Chain2004 · Writer, Director, Producer, Director of Photography	Writer, Director, Producer, Director of Photography
R.E.M.: In View 1988-2003 (The Best of R.E.M.)2003 · Director	Director
The Foxx and Little Vic2002 · Director	Director
Nice Evening, Transmission Down2001 · Director	Director
Sonic Cinema: Sparklehorse2001 · Director	Director
Benjamin Smoke2000 · Director	Director
LLittle Flags2000 · Director	Director
Instrument1999 · Director, Director of Photography	Director, Director of Photography
Amber City1999 · Director	Director
BBlood Orange Sky1999 · Director	Director
Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith Portrait1997 · Director, Producer	Director, Producer