DocuWeeks’ Week 3: Elmo, David Letterman and military matters

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The International Documentary Assn.’s 15th Annual DocuWeeks Theatrical Documentary Showcase enters its third and final week on Friday at the Laemmle’s Sunset 5. The six films all are attempting to qualify for Academy Award consideradition.

Here’s a look at this week’s eclectic lineup:

‘Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey’

Constance Marks produced and directed this documentary on Kevin Clash. Narrated by Whoopi Goldberg, it’s about the man who created the adorable red Muppet Elmo.

‘Dying to do Letterman’

Joke Fincioen and Biagio Messina directed this award-winning documentary, which chronicles comic Steve Mazan’s attempt to perform on David Letterman’s show. His quest becomes still more important when he learns he may only have five years to live.

Hell and Back Again clip from Danfung Dennis on Vimeo.

‘Hell and Back Again’

Photojournalist and filmmaker Danfung Dennis examines how a Taliban machine-gun bullet affects the life of a young sergeant serving in Afghanistan.

‘The Mexican Suitcase’

Trisha Ziff’s story of the recovery of 4,500 negatives taken by the great photographers Robert Capa, Gerda Taro and David Seymour during the Spanish Civil War.

Semper Fi: Always Faithful Trailer from Rachel Libert on Vimeo.

‘Semper Fi: Always Faithful’
Rachel Libert and Tony Hardmon produced and directed this documentary about a Marine’s discovery of a Marine Corps cover-up of a water contamination incident that was one of the worst in U.S. history.

‘The Tiniest Place’

Tatian Huezo wrote and directed this documentary set in the Salvadoran jungle that examines the strength of the residents of an annihilated town.

For the record, 11:30 a.m. Aug. 31: An earlier version of this post referred to ‘Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey’ as ‘Becoming Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey.’

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-- Susan King