The Genesis of Kings of Tupelo

The documentary, Kings of Tupelo, centers around a bizarre true story involving an Elvis impersonator, Paul Kevin Curtis, who was arrested in 2013 for allegedly attempting to assassinate President Barack Obama with a deadly poison called ricin. This strange narrative unfolded in Tupelo, Mississippi, the birthplace of Elvis Presley, giving the project a unique setting that is rich in culture and eccentric characters. The filmmakers discovered that beyond the shocking headline lay an intricate web of events, including local rivalries and the surreal circumstances surrounding Curtis’s arrest and subsequent claims of being framed. The story's depth became evident as the filmmakers engaged with the townspeople, revealing layers of drama, humor, and tragedy woven into Curtis's life and the broader landscape of conspiracy theories in America.