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Jem Cohen

Known For
Directing

Known Credits
1

Gender
Male

Birthday
January 1, 1962 (64 years old)

Place of Birth
Kabul, Afghanistan

Jem Cohen

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

Directing

2026Little, Big, and Far...Director
2025Robert and June (and All the Time in the World)...Director
2024Aerie...Director
2024Robert and June (Cape Breton and NYC)...Director
2024June Leaf...Director
2022Ballad of Philip Guston...Director
2022Or Nothing (The Double)...Director
2019Makeshift (for Mekas)...Director
2018Vox Populi...Director
2018NYC Weights and Measures...Director
2018This Climate...Director
2017Birth of a Nation...Director
2016World Without End (No Reported Incidents)...Director
2016Bury Me Not...Director
2016Peter Hutton...Director
2016On Essex Road...Director
2015Counting...Director
2015We Have an Anchor...Director
2014The Film That Buys the Cinema...Director
2013Helianthus Corner Blues...Director
2012Museum Hours...Director
201220 Little Films...Director
2011Gravity Hill Newsreels: Occupy Wall Street...Director
2011Real Birds...Director
2010Anne Truitt, Working...Director
2010Crossing Paths with Luce Vigo...Director
2009Chinatown Film Project...Director
2009Long for the City (Patti Smith in New York)...Director
2009Night Scene New York...Director
2009Le bled (Buildings in a Field)...Director
2008The Passage Clock: For Walter Benjamin...Director
2008Evening's Civil Twilight in Empires of Tin...Director
2008Half The Battle...Director
2007free...Director
2007Spirit (Smells Like Teen Spirit)...Director
2006Blessed are the Dreams of Men...Director
2006Building a Broken Mousetrap...Director
2004Chain...Director
2003R.E.M.: In View 1988-2003 (The Best of R.E.M.)...Director
2002The Foxx and Little Vic...Director
2001Nice Evening, Transmission Down...Director
2001Sonic Cinema: Sparklehorse...Director
2000Benjamin Smoke...Director
2000Little Flags...Director
1999Instrument...Director
1999Amber City...Director
1999Blood Orange Sky...Director
1997Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith Portrait...Director
1997Museum...Director
1996Lost Book Found...Director
1995Nightswimming...Director
1994Buried in Light...Director
1992Black Hole Radio...Director
1991R.E.M. - This Film Is On...Director
1991Drink Deep...Director
1991Sketches for Late City Final...Director
1989Just Hold Still...Director
1989Glueman...Director
1989Light Years...Director
19894:44 (from her house home)...Director
1987This Is a History of New York...Director
Gravity Hill Newsreels-Bella ciao...Director

Writing

2026Little, Big, and Far...Writer
2012Museum Hours...Writer
2004Chain...Writer

Production

2026Little, Big, and Far...Producer
2015Counting...Producer
2012Museum Hours...Producer
2008Evening's Civil Twilight in Empires of Tin...Producer
2004Chain...Producer
1997Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith Portrait...Producer

Camera

2026Little, Big, and Far...Director of Photography
2012Museum Hours...Director of Photography
2004Chain...Director of Photography
1999Instrument...Director of Photography
1997Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith Portrait...Camera Operator

Editing

2026Little, Big, and Far...Editor
2019Makeshift (for Mekas)...Editor
2015Counting...Editor
2012Museum Hours...Editor
2008Evening's Civil Twilight in Empires of Tin...Editor
2004Chain...Editor
1999Instrument...Editor
1997Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith Portrait...Editor
1992Black Hole Radio...Editor

Sound

2026Little, Big, and Far...Sound
2015Counting...Sound Designer
2012Museum Hours...Sound Designer
1992Black Hole Radio...Sound Editor

Crew

2019Makeshift (for Mekas)...Cinematography
2015Counting...Cinematography
2008Evening's Civil Twilight in Empires of Tin...Cinematography

Art

1987Matewan...Assistant Property Master
1986At Close Range...Assistant Property Master

Acting

19894:44 (from her house home)as Narrator