Learn to speak her language.|Jan. 31, 2003|Germany|109 Min.|R
Genre: Drama;Romance
Description: The Sleeping Dictionary (2003) is a film that follows the journey of John Truscott, a young and inexperienced Englishman played by Hugh Dancy. He travels to Sarawak, Borneo, a British protectorate, with the aim of applying his father’s work to the Iban society. Upon arrival, he meets his employer, Henry Bullard (Bob Hoskins), and his wife, Aggie Bullard (Brenda Blethyn). John’s mission is to bring civilization to the region by building schools and providing education for the Iban people. However, he quickly encounters unfamiliar local customs.
Selima (Jessica Alba) becomes John’s “sleeping dictionary,” a role in which she shares his bed and teaches him the local language and traditions. As their bond deepens, John is sent upriver to assist the Yakata tribe, which is suffering from a mysterious illness. During their journey, John discovers a nearby mining operation run by Europeans. He uncovers that the miners have poisoned the rice given to the Yakata tribe, intending to eliminate them. John warns the Yakata, leading to a violent retaliation against the miners.
Despite their efforts to remain detached, John and Selima fall into a forbidden love. John decides to marry Selima, but the longhouse traditions forbid their union. When John informs Henry of his plans, Selima is imprisoned. She eventually agrees to marry within the longhouse, and the two part ways. Henry then threatens John with a trial for the miners’ deaths, proposing a deal: John must give up Selima, take a year-long vacation in Britain, and meet the Bullards’ daughter, Cecilia. Neville Shipperly (Noah Taylor), a crude and bigoted British official, harbors resentment toward John, as he had intended to marry Cecilia himself. A year later, John is seen marrying Cecilia.
Cast director: Guy Jenkin
Cast actor: Jessica Alba, Hugh Dancy, Brenda Blethyn, Christopher Ling Lee Ian, Emily Mortimer, Bob Hoskins, K.K. Moggie, Noah Taylor
Original name: The Sleeping Dictionary