American Masters: Elsa Sjunneson

Elsa Sjunneson is a professor. And a skilled fencer. And a hiker. And published author. And a queer rights activist. Director Cameron Mitchell spotlights her life as a main subject for the PBS American Masters documentary short, Elsa. The short, which is equally entertaining and enlightening, seems like a primer for something more. Elsa Sjunneson definitely has a lot more to say. After all, Sjunneson is also DeafBlind.

Mitchell's Elsa gives her a fantastic, if compact, focus. He shows Elsa fencing and skiing. She beams at her opportunity to contribute to a Marvel Comics anthology. Her beliefs in advocacy are strong and true. And DeafBlind or not, Elsa Sjunneson has a life worth honoring. Mitchell provides quick highlights of it all - and all of it positive.

As a documentary, Elsa leaves you wanting more.

Sjunneson seems to be a wonderful person - and Mitchell's expose is clearly one of success - but the Elsa short nearly extends as a checklist of accomplishments.

Maybe Mitchell is saving all that for the feature length version? Let's hope so. Because chances are, that will be spectacular.