The Sleeping Dictionary

2003 • John Truscott

DIRECTOR: Guy Jenkin
WRITER(S): Guy Jenkin
PRODUCER(S): Simon Bosanquet, Jimmy Mulville, Denise O’Donoghue, Martin Fuhrer
RELEASE DATE: February 18, 2003 (DVD release)
DISTRIBUTOR(S): Fine Line Features
LOCATIONS: Sarawak, Malaysia and London

A young and naive Englishman, John Truscott (Hugh Dancy), goes to the British colony Sarawak,Malaysia to try and apply his father’s work to the Iban society. He tries to civilize them, building schools and providing education for the Iban people. He is met with unfamiliar local customs. Selima (Jessica Alba) becomes his “sleeping dictionary”, who sleeps with him and teaches him the language and the habits of the locals. Despite their intents, the two find themselves falling into a forbidden love.