Close Up

19 September 2016: Jem Cohen: Fragments

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Following the premiere of Counting here last year, and fresh from his foray at the Estuary Festival, we’re delighted to have Brooklyn-based filmmaker Jem Cohen with us again at Close-Up. Defender of celluloid, advocate of creative, political and social autonomy and one of the medium's natural collaborators, Cohen will discuss his practice whist sharing shorts and fragments from across his prolific body of work.

From empathetic and impressionistic portraits of cities, people and places, to his enduring relationships and collaborations with musicians such as Patti Smith, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Fugazi, Cohen’s extensive body of work – more than 70 films over three decades – is widely considered as one of the most significant in international independent cinema. Including features, essay and diary films, documentaries, installations and music works, Cohen’s output is rooted in experimental film, the traditions of street photography and urban aesthetics, and the collaborative qualities of the American alternative music scene.

Cohen will be in conversation with Gareth Evans, Film Curator at Whitechapel Gallery following the screening.