Respected anthropologist James Krippendorf and his wife, Jennifer, embark on a much-anticipated expedition to New Guinea with their three children in search of a lost tribe. Despite their best efforts, the search proves fruitless. Tragedy strikes when Jennifer passes away, leaving James to raise their children as a single parent with no funds left from his foundation grant.
Scheduled to lecture at a college and facing potential misuse of grant funds charges, James devises a plan. He fabricates an imaginary tribe, the Shelmikedmu, using his children’s names as inspiration. To bolster his deception, James creates a fake “documentary” film, featuring his children as tribe members and incorporating footage of a real New Guinean tribe.
Anthropologist Veronica Micelli catches wind of James’ scheme and involves cable-TV producer Henry Spivey. Meanwhile, James’ rival Ruth Allen grows suspicious of his work. Thanks to James describing a unique culture, his fraud gains notoriety. James assumes the role of a tribal elder, while his sons Mickey and Edmund partake in elaborate rituals. Only daughter Shelly refuses to participate due to her disdain for her father’s dishonesty.
James manipulates Veronica into joining his deceptive documentary. When she learns the truth, her initial anger fades, and she aids James in maintaining the ruse. Ruth Allen’s trip to New Guinea reveals no tribe where James claimed, leading to a public expose at a gala. Mickey concocts a story about a magical ritual to protect the Shelmikedmu’s identity.
Secretly, Shelly contacts the New Guineans her family befriended, convincing them to pose as the Shelmikedmu to thwart Ruth Allen’s investigation. The plan succeeds, clearing James of fraud accusations. James, freed from his deception, ends the charade.
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