
Directing
Jem Cohen
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.
Credits
Newest first
Little, Big, and FarDirector2026
Little, Big, and FarWriter2026
Little, Big, and FarProducer2026
Little, Big, and FarDirector of Photography2026
Little, Big, and FarEditor2026
Little, Big, and FarSound2026
Robert and June (and All the Time in the World)Director2025- Robert and June (Cape Breton and NYC)Director2024
- June LeafDirector2024
- Or Nothing (The Double)Director2022
Ballad of Philip GustonDirector2022
Makeshift (for Mekas)Editor2019
Makeshift (for Mekas)Cinematography2019
Makeshift (for Mekas)Director2019
Vox PopuliDirector2018
NYC Weights and MeasuresDirector2018
This ClimateDirector2018
Birth of a NationDirector2017
World Without End (No Reported Incidents)Director2016
Bury Me NotDirector2016- Peter HuttonDirector2016
On Essex RoadDirector2016
CountingSound Designer2015
CountingDirector2015
CountingCinematography2015
CountingProducer2015
CountingEditor2015- We Have an AnchorDirector2015
The Film That Buys the CinemaDirector2014
Helianthus Corner BluesDirector2013
Museum HoursDirector2012
Museum HoursDirector of Photography2012
Museum HoursEditor2012
Museum HoursSound Designer2012
Museum HoursProducer2012
Museum HoursWriter2012
20 Little FilmsDirector2012
Gravity Hill Newsreels: Occupy Wall StreetDirector2011
Real BirdsDirector2011- Anne Truitt, WorkingDirector2010
Crossing Paths with Luce VigoDirector2010- Chinatown Film ProjectDirector2009
Long for the City (Patti Smith in New York)Director2009- Le bled (Buildings in a Field)Director2009
Night Scene New YorkDirector2009
The Passage Clock: For Walter BenjaminDirector2008
Evening's Civil Twilight in Empires of TinDirector2008
Evening's Civil Twilight in Empires of TinEditor2008
Evening's Civil Twilight in Empires of TinProducer2008
Evening's Civil Twilight in Empires of TinCinematography2008- Half The BattleDirector2008
- A Tale of Two Cities (Viennale Trailer 2007)Director2007
Spirit (Smells Like Teen Spirit)Director2007- Building a Broken MousetrapDirector2006
Blessed are the Dreams of MenDirector2006
ChainWriter2004
ChainDirector2004
ChainEditor2004
ChainProducer2004
ChainDirector of Photography2004
R.E.M.: In View 1988-2003 (The Best of R.E.M.)Director2003
The Foxx and Little VicDirector2002
Nice Evening, Transmission DownDirector2001
Sonic Cinema: SparklehorseDirector2001
Benjamin SmokeDirector2000- Little FlagsDirector2000
InstrumentDirector1999
InstrumentDirector of Photography1999
InstrumentEditor1999
Amber CityDirector1999- Blood Orange SkyDirector1999
Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith PortraitDirector1997
Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith PortraitCamera Operator1997
Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith PortraitEditor1997
Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith PortraitProducer1997- MuseumDirector1997
Lost Book FoundDirector1996
Buried in LightDirector1994- Black Hole RadioEditor1992
- Black Hole RadioDirector1992