Krippendorf's Tribe

After squandering his grant money, despondent and recently widowed anthropologist James Krippendorf must produce hard evidence of the existence of a heretofore undiscovered New Guinea tribe. He transforms his three troubled children into the Shelmikedmu, a primitive culture whose habits enthrall scholars. Characterized by Grass skirts, makeup, and staged rituals, the ruse is soon threatened by a spiteful rival.