Phantoms of the Sierra Madre

In 2016, screenwriter Lars K. Andersen embarked on a project inspired by his childhood hero, explorer Helge Ingstad, who sought a lost Apache tribe 1937 Mexico. Initially envisioned as a road movie with the Danish screenwriter, the project transformed into a self-reflective documentary due to concerns about cultural appropriation. The documentary follows Lars retracing Ingstad's footsteps, meeting Pius, Geronimo's great-grandson, who believes in the existence of Apaches in mexico. Along their journey, they encounter a Mexican family capitalizing on Geronimo's name and a Mexican Intelligence Agent claiming to have found the tribe, opting for secrecy. As Lars grapples with the ethics of seeking a tribe that wants to remain hidden, he seeks Ingstad's grandson in Oslo, discovering an Apache woman's skull. This unexpected revelation prompts an emotional conclusion, exploring themes of cultural respect and appropriation through their journey.