Jim Henson created Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Bert & Ernie, Oscar the Grouch and many others for Sesame Street, but there is one iconic character that stands above them all. Elmo is beloved by many, including my younger self, and at Sundance this year we got an intimate behind-the-scenes look at his rise to fame. The genius behind it all was Kevin Clash and in Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey, director Constance Marks chronicles his adventure to the spotlight.
We adored the film at Sundance (our review and wrap-up) and it looks like the distributor Submarine Deluxe took notice. Not one, but two of our quotes made the cut in the first trailer below for the “feel-good movie of the year.” Check it out via indieWIRE and leave us your thoughts in the comments.
Synopsis:
Beloved by children of all ages around the world, Elmo is an international icon. Few people know his creator, Kevin Clash, who dreamed of working with his idol, master puppeteer Jim Henson. Displaying his creativity and talent at a young age, Kevin ultimately found a home on Sesame Street. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, this documentary includes rare archival footage, interviews with Frank Oz, Rosie O’Donnell, Cheryl Henson, Joan Ganz Cooney and others and offers a behind-the-scenes look at Sesame Street and the Jim Henson Workshop.
Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey hits theaters October 21st, 2011 and check here for expansion dates.
Were you a Sesame Street fan as a kid? Looking forward to this documentary?