The Sleeping Dictionary
The story of a tempestuous and forbidden love affair between a young Englishman and a beautiful Iban tribeswoman. When John Truscott (Emmy Award-nominee Hugh Dancy "Black Hawk Down," "King Arthur") takes a job in the British colonial outpost of Sarawak, he is given a native servant; Selima (Golden Globe-nominee Jessica Alba "Sin City," "Fantastic Four") who teaches him the local language but also shares his bed. This accepted tradition is monitored closely by Johns crusty superior Henry Bullard (Acadeny Award-nominee Bob Hoskins "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," "Brazil") and his wife Aggie (Academy Award-nominee Brenda Blethyn "Atonement," "Pride & Prejudice") to ensure that no romantic attachments occur. When John and Selima fall openly and passionately in love, the colonial authorities and the native population turn against them unleashing a chain of events that test their resolve to the very limit.
Starring Jessica Alba, Brenda Blethyn, Hugh Dancy
Director Guy Jenkin