The Sleeping Dictionary

"He's an unexpected education."

2003 1h 49m EN

👍

6.6

SOLID

★6.6TMDB · 198

DramaRomance

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

In the 1930s, British officer John Truscott journeys to a remote village in colonial Malaysia to educate and Westernize the local Iban population. There, he's introduced to the lovely Selima. In keeping with tradition, Selima is assigned to sleep with Truscott and teach him the native language and customs. But when they fall in love, both colonists and natives object to their plans to marry.

“He's an unexpected education.”

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Cast

Jessica Alba
Selima
Brenda Blethyn
Aggie
Hugh Dancy
John Truscott
Bob Hoskins
Henry Bullard
Junix Inocian
Famous
Mano Maniam
Policeman
K.K. Moggie
Tipong
Emily Mortimer
Cecil

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Guy Jenkin
Writers: Guy Jenkin
Languages: English
Countries: Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Earned back only 0% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 23 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 3 countries: Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Guy Jenkin, shot by Martin Fuhrer. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Simon Boswell. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Lesley Walker shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Jessica Alba and Brenda Blethyn and Hugh Dancy carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "He's an unexpected education.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Guy Jenkin directs. Martin Fuhrer behind the camera. Simon Boswell scores. Lesley Walker cuts. A commercial under-performer on release. Produced in Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Earned back only 0% of its budget on initial theatrical — a commercial disappointment on release.
2Released 23 years ago.
3International production across 3 countries: Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America.
4Directed by Guy Jenkin, shot by Martin Fuhrer. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
5Original score by Simon Boswell. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
6Editor Lesley Walker shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
7Jessica Alba and Brenda Blethyn and Hugh Dancy carry the top of the cast.
8Marketing tagline: "He's an unexpected education.".
9IMDB entry: tt0242888 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.