An African-American musician who undertakes the "accidental courtesy" of forming friendships with white supremacists is the star of a new documentary making waves at film festivals across the world.
Daryl Davis, who has played music with the likes of blues legends Little Richard and Chuck Berry, says he doesn't set out to be friends with KKK members but it naturally ends up that way.
The 58-year-old seeks primarily for an answer to just one question as he meets with various white supremacists in Accidental Courtesy: Daryl Davis, Race & America.
"How can you hate me if you don't even know me? Look at me and tell me to my face why you would lynch me," he says in the film's trailer.
The Los Angeles Times has reported that Mr Davis has befriended more than 200 KKK members, and he has actively researched the organisation so he has knowledge to combat their claims.
"I know more about the KKK than most Klan members know about their own organisation," he said.
"Knowledge, information, wit, and the way you disseminate these attributes can often prove to be a more disarming weapon against an enemy or some with whom your ideology is in conflict, than violence or lethal weapons."
He says while many KKK members express superiority over black people, the fact is that they feel inferior and are attempting to elevate themselves by pushing black people down.
The film has won awards at three of the five festivals it has featured at, including two for its debut screening at SXSW, one at the Athens International Film & Video Festival and another at the Nashville Film Festival.
It is not known whether it will make it to New Zealand's shores.
Newshub.