Culture

Directed by James Miller and Constance Marks, (4/5).

Stitch by stitch, the crafting of our most beloved Sesame Street companion is revealed in Being Elmo. Through this documentary we learn about Kevin Clash, a man whose arm and voice has brought him international fame. You may not recognise his name but you could not forget his stage persona, the giggling and red Elmo.
 
Through interviews, family videos and documentary footage, we run through the stages of Kevin Clash’s life. As a little boy, Clash was glued to the television, especially to shows such as Captain Kangaroo and Sesame Street. This was his version of escapism from a Baltimore environment which, although supportive, could not provide the means of realising his dream of visiting Disneyland.
 
We learn how Clash’s love for puppets began early, leading him to making puppets for audiences as diverse as preschoolers to special needs schools to fairs. Then of course comes the tale of how he was discovered by a roaming talent spotter. From there it was television studios, New York, Jim Henson and Frank Oz (the Sesame Street mastermind). Clash could handle those puppets like he handles his own little man. He even featured as a puppeteer on The Labyrinth (David Bowie at his most magnificent). Finally Clash got to appear on Sesame Street, his dream destination filled with puppeteer idols. After a right-place-at-the-right-time incident, he picked up Elmo and created one of the most popular television stars ever.
 
What I especially adored about this documentary were the shots of the film sets and puppet-making studios. Clash would pull open a drawer filled with puppet eyes, then sunglasses, then moustaches – it was fantastic. I imagined creating a mini Loulou. The allure of puppets!
 
Being Elmo has a low-key feel with examples of some budget film making but it remains positive. The story isn’t about drugs, rehab, rocky roads, but rather about talent and very innocent dreams. If Clash’s tale does have lows these aren’t elaborated upon. As the eponymous soft toy beckons you to do, Being Elmo will tickle you in just the right way.