The Sleeping Dictionary

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A young and naive Englishman, John Truscott (Hugh Dancy), goes to the British colony of Sarawak, Malaysia to try and apply his father's work to the Iban society. He tries to civilize them, building schools and providing education for the Iban people. He is met with unfamiliar local customs. Selima (Jessica Alba) becomes his "sleeping dictionary," who sleeps with him and teaches him the language and the habits of the locals. Despite their intents, the two find themselves falling into a forbidden love.