The truth needs no translation...

Director Sidney Pollack's diverse career sees him returning to familiar ground with The Interpreter, Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn starring in a film riddled with subterfuge, recriminations, and deadly secrets.

Kidman plays Silvia Broome, an interpreter who works at the UN in New York City. One night, while collecting a bag she has left behind in the building, Silvia overhears a whispered conversation in which an assassination attempt on redoubtable African leader Zuwanie (Earl Cameron), is planned during his future visit to the UN. Secret service agent Tobin Keller (Penn) is assigned to provide security for Zuwanie on the forthcoming trip, and conducts an investigation when Silvia explains what she has heard. He quickly discovers that Silvia has a lengthy, troubled past as a citizen from the same country as Zuwanie, and immediately begins to doubt her story...

This is the first film to be shot inside the United Nations Headquarters. Locations include the General Assembly and the Security Council, as well as corridors and hallways of the complex. The cast and crew filmed on weekends in order not to disrupt the working week of the Organization.