Jem Cohen
Jem Cohen is a New York City-based filmmaker known for his blending of media formats (16mm, Super 8, video) and collaborations with music artists.
Cohen's most popular works are his 1999 experimental documentary Instrument, a portrait of the D.C.-punk band Fugazi that was ten years in the making. Another well-known work is the portrait Benjamin Smoke, a film about the life of the frontman of the Athens, Georgia band Smoke, who died of AIDS shortly before the film's completion. Other works of note are his Walter Benjamin-inspired portrait of New York City, Lost Book Found and his short film about the late Elliot Smith, "Lucky Three". Cohen is currently screening his first fictional feature in an installation exhibit called Chain.
Other music artists Cohen has collaberated with over the years include Opal Foxx Quartet, Sparklehorse, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Vic Chesnutt, R.E.M. and Blonde Redhead.