Plot - The Sleeping Dictionary

A young and naive Englishman, John Truscott (Hugh Dancy), goes to the British colony of Sarawak, Borneo 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.

Written by: Guy Jenkin
Starring: Hugh Dancy - John Truscott
Jessica Alba - Selima
Bob Hoskins - Henry Bullard
Brenda Blethyn - Aggie Bullard
Emily Mortimer - Cecilia Bullard
Noah Taylor - Neville Shipperly
Eugene Salleh - Belansai
Junix Nocian - Famous
Release date(s): 2003
Running time: 109 min.