Jem Cohen
Director · Actor · WriterBorn 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.
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KNOWN FOR
FILMOGRAPHY
DIRECTOR65
Little, Big, and Far
2026
Director
Robert and June (and All the Time in the World)
2025
Director
- Robert and June (Cape Breton and NYC)
Robert and June (Cape Breton and NYC)
2024
Director
- June Leaf
June Leaf
2024
Director
Aerie
2024
Director
- Or Nothing (The Double)
Or Nothing (The Double)
2022
Director
Ballad of Philip Guston
2022
Director
Opened Ending
2020
Director
Makeshift (for Mekas)
2019
Director
- Tree Song
Tree Song
2019
Director
NYC Weights and Measures
2018
Director
This Climate
2018
Director
- MARC RIBOT FEAT. TOM WAITS – Bella Ciao (Goodbye Beautiful)
MARC RIBOT FEAT. TOM WAITS – Bella Ciao (Goodbye Beautiful)
2018
Director
Vox Populi
2018
Director
Birth of a Nation
2017
Director
World Without End (No Reported Incidents)
2016
Director
Bury Me Not
2016
Director
- Peter Hutton
Peter Hutton
2016
Director
On Essex Road
2016
Director
Counting
2015
Director
- We Have an Anchor
We Have an Anchor
2015
Director
The Film That Buys the Cinema
2014
Director
Helianthus Corner Blues
2013
Director
Museum Hours
2012
Director
20 Little Films
2012
Director
Gravity Hill Newsreels: Occupy Wall Street
2011
Director
Real Birds
2011
Director
- Anne Truitt, Working
Anne Truitt, Working
2010
Director
Crossing Paths with Luce Vigo
2010
Director
- Le bled (Buildings in a Field)
Le bled (Buildings in a Field)
2009
Director
Night Scene New York
2009
Director
Long for the City (Patti Smith in New York)
2009
Director
- Chinatown Film Project
Chinatown Film Project
2009
Director
Evening's Civil Twilight in Empires of Tin
2008
Director
- Half The Battle
Half The Battle
2008
Director
The Passage Clock: For Walter Benjamin
2008
Director
Spirit (Smells Like Teen Spirit)
2007
Director
free
2007
Director
- Building a Broken Mousetrap
Building a Broken Mousetrap
2006
Director
Blessed are the Dreams of Men
2006
Director
Chain
2004
Director
R.E.M.: In View 1988-2003 (The Best of R.E.M.)
2003
Director
The Foxx and Little Vic
2002
Director
Sonic Cinema: Sparklehorse
2001
Director
Nice Evening, Transmission Down
2001
Director
Benjamin Smoke
2000
Director
- Little Flags
Little Flags
2000
Director
Instrument
1999
Director
Amber City
1999
Director
- Blood Orange Sky
Blood Orange Sky
1999
Director
Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith Portrait
1997
Director
- Museum
Museum
1997
Director
Lost Book Found
1996
Director
Nightswimming
1995
Director
Buried in Light
1994
Director
- Black Hole Radio
Black Hole Radio
1992
Director
Drink Deep
1991
Director
- R.E.M. - This Film Is On
R.E.M. - This Film Is On
1991
Director
- Sketches for Late City Final
Sketches for Late City Final
1991
Director
Just Hold Still
1989
Director
4:44 (from her house home)
1989
Director
- Light Years
Light Years
1989
Director
Glueman
1989
Director
This Is a History of New York
1987
Director
- Gravity Hill Newsreels-Bella ciao
Gravity Hill Newsreels-Bella ciao
Director
PRODUCER6
EDITOR10
Little, Big, and Far
2026
Editor
Makeshift (for Mekas)
2019
Editor
- MARC RIBOT FEAT. TOM WAITS – Bella Ciao (Goodbye Beautiful)
MARC RIBOT FEAT. TOM WAITS – Bella Ciao (Goodbye Beautiful)
2018
Editor
Counting
2015
Editor
Museum Hours
2012
Editor
Evening's Civil Twilight in Empires of Tin
2008
Editor
Chain
2004
Editor
Instrument
1999
Editor
Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith Portrait
1997
Editor
- Black Hole Radio
Black Hole Radio
1992
Editor
CINEMATOGRAPHER6
Little, Big, and Far
2026
Director of Photography
- MARC RIBOT FEAT. TOM WAITS – Bella Ciao (Goodbye Beautiful)
MARC RIBOT FEAT. TOM WAITS – Bella Ciao (Goodbye Beautiful)
2018
Director of Photography
Museum Hours
2012
Director of Photography
Chain
2004
Director of Photography
Instrument
1999
Director of Photography
Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith Portrait
1997
Camera Operator
