(NAPSI)—An award-winning documentary tells the tale behind one famous and fuzzy face: Elmo. A hit at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, “Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey” is the story of the creator behind the lovable and popular “Sesame Street” character Elmo.

Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, the inspiring documentary is a behind-the-scenes look at “Sesame Street” and the art of puppet making and includes rare archival footage. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Constance Marks, the film tells the life story of Kevin Clash, a young man from working-class roots in Baltimore who followed his dream to work with Muppets creator Jim Henson and went on to create one of the world’s most iconic puppets. The film has won numerous awards at film festivals and is now exclusively available on Netflix.

Introduced on “Sesame Street” in 1985, Elmo as we know him—the little red monster with the falsetto voice—almost did not exist. It was Clash who reshaped Elmo from original plans calling for a different, gruff persona.

Clash began building puppets at the age of 10 and has won multiple Emmys for his work. He is now “Sesame Street”’s co-executive producer and Muppet captain. There is no doubt among families today that his characters have changed lives—including the life of his documentary filmmaker. “I’ve been changed profoundly by making this film,” said Marks. “Kevin is loved around the world. Watching Kevin being approached by grateful adults everywhere was such an unexpected surprise.” Reactions to the film have also been touching. “People are having deep emotional responses to this film,” said Marks.

“Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey” is available exclusively for Netflix members to click and watch instantly on their TVs, tablets, game consoles, computers and mobile phones.

 

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