A documentary from a Caerphilly-based film producer is set for its world premiere at a New York film festival.
Orion: The Man Who Would Be King profiles the life of Jimmy ‘Orion’ Ellis, a mysterious masked singer launched into the world by Sun Records in the aftermath of Elvis Presley’s death and how the ‘Elvis is alive’ myth was born.
The film is set for its premiere on April 17 at the Tribeca Film Festival in America.
Producer Dewi Gregory, of Caerphilly-based production company the Truth Department, said: “We’re really thrilled to be premièring the film at such an important and prestigious festival as Tribeca and we look forward to sharing Orion’s amazing story with audiences.”
The film’s award-winning director Jeanie Finlay said the project started with a purchase of a vinyl record.
She explained: “Ten years ago I bought an Orion record at a car bootsale. It was on Sun Records, on gold vinyl. I played it and heard this unmistakable voice. I immediately wanted to find out more about the mysterious masked man on the cover. That discovery took me far from England, deep into the American South.
“What I uncovered was a rollercoaster story of the Nashville music scene in the wake of Elvis Presley’s death.
“Orion’s mask and his incredible voice ignited a fantasy and hundreds of thousands of people believed that Elvis might be alive. It’s an extraordinary story and I knew immediately I wanted to make it into a film.”
For more information on the film visit www.orionthemovie.com.