A: No, but it is based on historical practices in British Borneo. The characters are fictional.
The film follows John Truscott (played by Hugh Dancy), a young, idealistic British society man sent to Sarawak to manage a colonial outpost. Upon his arrival, the local British governor and the Iban tribal leaders introduce him to a local custom known as the "sleeping dictionary." Film The Sleeping Dictionary Lk21
For a quick snapshot of the movie, look at its core details: The Sleeping Dictionary Release Year: 2003 Director & Writer: Guy Jenkin Setting: 1930s Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo Genres: Romance, Drama, History A: No, but it is based on historical