The Sleeping Dictionary 2003
“He's an unexpected education.”
What is The Sleeping Dictionary?
The Sleeping Dictionary is a film first released in 2003. Catalogued under Drama, Romance.
- Type
- Film
- Year
- 2003
- Status
- Released
- Runtime
- 109 minutes
- Release date
- Jan 31, 2003
- Studios
- Fine Line Features, Hat Trick Productions, Katira Productions
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
- Updated
Trailer
Overview
The Sleeping Dictionary is a film first released in 2003. Catalogued under Drama, Romance. Produced and broadcast by Fine Line Features, Hat Trick Productions, Katira Productions. Current status: Released.
Should you watch it?
“A British officer learns love and language in a remote Malaysian village.”
- Authentic Sarawak locations were used for filming
- Explores a cross‑cultural romance in the 1930s
- Period setting adds historical texture
- Mature themes of sexuality and colonial tension may be intense for some viewers
Watch it if you enjoy period romances that explore cultural clashes.
Features mature themes of sexuality and colonial tension, suitable for adult audiences.
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Frequently asked questions
When and where does the story take place?
The film is set in the 1930s in a remote village of colonial Malaysia among the Iban population.
Who are the central characters?
British officer John Truscott and Selima, a local Iban woman assigned to teach him language and customs.
What is the main premise of the film?
Selima is assigned to sleep with Truscott to teach him the native language, and they fall in love despite opposition from both colonists and natives.
Where was the movie filmed?
It was filmed on location in Sarawak, Malaysia, including a specially constructed longhouse at Batang Ai near the Hilton Batang Ai Resort.
What genre does the film belong to?
The Sleeping Dictionary is classified as a drama and romance.
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