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.

Directed

1. Museum Hours (2012) — Director
2. Instrument (1999) — Director
3. Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith Portrait (1997) — Director
4. Chain (2004) — Director
5. Benjamin Smoke (2000) — Director
6. Lost Book Found (1996) — Director
7. Counting (2015) — Director
8. Amber City (1999) — Director
9. Drink Deep (1991) — Director
10. Just Hold Still (1989) — Director
11. Anne Truitt, Working (2010) — Director
12. This Is a History of New York (1987) — Director
13. World Without End (No Reported Incidents) (2016) — Director
14. Buried in Light (1994) — Director
15. R.E.M.: In View 1988-2003 (The Best of R.E.M.) (2003) — Director
16. free (2007) — Director
17. Little Flags (2000) — Director
18. Ballad of Philip Guston (2022) — Director
19. Black Hole Radio (1992) — Director
20. Blood Orange Sky (1999) — Director
21. Sonic Cinema: Sparklehorse (2001) — Director
22. R.E.M. - This Film Is On (1991) — Director
23. Little, Big, and Far (2026) — Director
24. Glueman (1989) — Director
25. Makeshift (for Mekas) (2019) — Director
26. Half The Battle (2008) — Director
27. Or Nothing (The Double) (2022) — Director
28. Museum (1997) — Director
29. Evening's Civil Twilight in Empires of Tin (2008) — Director
30. Blessed are the Dreams of Men (2006) — Director
31. Building a Broken Mousetrap (2006) — Director
32. The Film That Buys the Cinema (2014) — Director
33. NYC Weights and Measures (2018) — Director
34. 4:44 (from her house home) (1989) — Director
35. Le bled (Buildings in a Field) (2009) — Director
36. Gravity Hill Newsreels: Occupy Wall Street (2011) — Director
37. Helianthus Corner Blues (2013) — Director
38. Spirit (Smells Like Teen Spirit) (2007) — Director
39. 20 Little Films (2012) — Director
40. Bury Me Not (2016) — Director

Also appeared in

1. 4:44 (from her house home) (1989) — Narrator