Krippendorf's Tribe 1998

Overview

Krippendorf's Tribe is a 1998 American comedy film directed by Todd Holland. The movie is based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Frank Parkin and features a cast that includes Richard Dreyfuss, Jenna Elfman, Natasha Lyonne, Lily Tomlin, and Zakes Mokae. The story follows James Krippendorf, a recently widowed and despondent anthropologist who has squandered his grant money. To resolve his professional predicament, he decides to produce evidence of the existence of a heretofore undiscovered tribe from New Guinea. He utilizes grass skirts, makeup, and staged rituals to transform his three troubled children into the Shelmikedmu, a primitive culture that eventually enthralls the academic community. The deception becomes complicated when a spiteful rival threatens to expose the ruse, leading the rival to eventually join in on the act. The film, which is classified as a comedy and family feature, has a runtime of one hour and thirty-four minutes. It received a PG-13 rating and was released in the United States on February 27, 1998.