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.
Cinematography
Malaysian jungle locations that basically carry the entire sensual atmosphere.
Costume
Colonial whites vs. traditional Iban dress: the wardrobe is doing thematic heavy lifting.
Director
Guy Jenkin
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'sleeping dictionary' was a real documented practice in colonial Southeast Asia, though the film romanticizes what was often exploitative.
The Iban people depicted are a real Indigenous group from Borneo; the film was controversial for using Malaysian locations but largely non-Malaysian creative leadership.
US
GB
