Jem Cohen

Born: 1962-01-01, Kabul, Afghanistan

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.

Filmography

• Museum Hours (2012)
• 20 Little Films (2012)
• Instrument (1999)
• Drink Deep (1991)
• The Film That Buys the Cinema (2014)
• The Foxx and Little Vic (2002)
• Little, Big, and Far (2026)
• Long for the City (Patti Smith in New York) (2009)
• Glueman (1989)
• R.E.M.: In View 1988-2003 (The Best of R.E.M.) (2003)
• Makeshift (for Mekas) (2019)
• Benjamin Smoke (2000)
• Sonic Cinema: Sparklehorse (2001)
• Evening's Civil Twilight in Empires of Tin (2008)
• Robert and June (and All the Time in the World) (2025)
• Lucky Three: An Elliott Smith Portrait (1997)
• Just Hold Still (1989)
• Night Scene New York (2009)
• Nice Evening, Transmission Down (2001)
• This Is a History of New York (1987)
• World Without End (No Reported Incidents) (2016)
• The Passage Clock: For Walter Benjamin (2008)
• Lost Book Found (1996)
• This Climate (2018)
• Helianthus Corner Blues (2013)
• Real Birds (2011)
• Gravity Hill Newsreels: Occupy Wall Street (2011)
• Crossing Paths with Luce Vigo (2010)
• Ballad of Philip Guston (2022)
• Amber City (1999)