SC-S28/W4-Movie Highlights|Genre Flip (The Fisherman’s Diary)

Hi guys, accept my compliments of the season from the motherland, Cameroon, and welcome to my blog as I share ideas on the topic “Movie Highlights|Genre Flip,” with a focus on the movie (The Fisherman’s Diary).

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Watch a movie in a genre you usually avoid.

As someone who has always loved films and explored a variety of genres, I used to avoid drama movies. I thought they were overly serious, dull, and offered nothing to learn, just a waste of time. But today, I took a chance on The Fisherman’s Diary, and it completely turned my perception around. For the first time, I experienced how drama can be powerful, moving, and full of meaningful lessons. Now, I see drama films in an entirely new light.

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The Fisherman’s Diary is a drama movie that follows the emotional and challenging journey of a young Cameroonian girl determined to pursue her education despite cultural and societal barriers. The film centres on Ekah, a 12-year-old girl living in a rural fishing community. Inspired by the story of Malala Yousafzai, Ekah becomes determined to attend school and receive the education she dreams of. However, she lives in an environment where girls’ education is rather seen as taboo. Her father, Solomon, a widowed fisherman, strictly forbids her from going to school, believing education will corrupt her and make her disobedient.

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Driven by curiosity and determination, Ekah secretly follows the local school’s lessons from a distance and passionately teaches herself to read and write. As she becomes more confident and outspoken, her resistance to tradition creates tension within her household and community. Her father’s rigid beliefs collide with Ekah’s growing sense of identity and purpose, making their relationship a central emotional conflict in the movie.

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The movie also explores the broader social issues affecting the village, including gender inequality, poverty, and deeply rooted cultural norms. Ekah’s struggle becomes symbolic of the battle many young girls face when their aspirations conflict with societal expectations. As she confronts hostility, shame, and resistance from adults around her, Ekah finds unexpected allies who encourage her pursuit of knowledge and self-empowerment.

As a social-issue drama, the film highlights the transformative power of education and the resilience of young girls striving for a better future. The Fisherman’s Diary ultimately delivers a message about hope, courage, and the need for communities to evolve beyond harmful traditions to uplift the next generation.

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Why don’t you usually watch this genre?

As I earlier mentioned, growing up as a film lover, I eagerly explored all kinds of movies ranging from action to packed adventures, hilarious comedies, and even gripping documentaries. But drama films never caught my interest. To me, they always seemed slow, heavy, and a bit too serious, lacking the excitement or fun I loved in other genres. I could not understand why anyone would willingly spend hours watching such stories.

For a long time, I believed that dramas had nothing to offer. Their plots felt predictable, their characters overly emotional, and I thought there were no real lessons to learn. Watching them seemed like a waste of time, and I avoided them almost entirely. I could not see the value in a genre that focused so much on feelings rather than action or humour.

All of that changed when I watched The Fisherman’s Diary. The film moved me in ways I did not expect was powerful, thought-provoking, and full of meaningful lessons. I realised that drama movies can touch the heart and teach important truths about life. That experience completely shifted my perspective, and now I’m eager to give more dramas a chance, knowing they can be just as captivating as any other genre.

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Did this movie change your mind or confirm your feelings?

Watching The Fisherman’s Diary was an eye-opening experience that completely changed how I view drama films. For the first time, I felt deeply connected to the story and its characters. The film’s emotional depth, powerful message, and thought-provoking themes made me realise that drama movies can teach important life lessons while still being engaging and compelling. I was surprised at how much a single film could move me and make me reflect on real-life issues.

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This experience transformed my attitude toward the entire genre. What I once dismissed as slow and uninteresting suddenly became meaningful and enriching. I now see that drama films are not just a waste of time but they can inspire, educate, and leave a lasting impact. Since watching “The Fisherman’s Diary”, I have become more open to exploring dramas, eager to discover the lessons and emotions they have to offer.

What surprised you most about the film?

What surprised me most about The Fisherman’s Diary is how deeply it reflected my own experiences growing up. As a young girl with four older sisters in a traditional family, I faced many of the same challenges shown in the film. The story resonated with me because it portrayed the struggles of pursuing education as a girl in a society where cultural stereotypes often stood in the way.

The movie’s realistic depiction of these challenges caught me off guard and made me reflect on my own journey. Seeing my experiences mirrored on screen was both powerful and validating. It reminded me of the resilience required to overcome societal expectations and strengthened my appreciation for stories that give voice to the challenges faced by girls seeking education.

Would you try more movies from this genre in the future and why?

Yes, I am definitely excited to watch more movies from the drama genre in the future. Before The Fisherman’s Diary, I had earlier said that I avoided dramas because I thought they were slow, overly serious, and lacked meaningful lessons. But this film completely changed my view, showing me that drama movies can be deeply moving, thought-provoking, and capable of reflecting real-life experiences.

What surprised me most was how much the story resonated with my own life. It reminded me that dramas are not just about sadness or seriousness, they can tell relatable, powerful stories that teach lessons, challenge perspectives, and inspire reflection. Experiencing this connection made me realise how much I had been missing by avoiding the genre.

Now, I am eager to explore more drama films, curious about the stories and lessons they hold. I want to see the diverse characters, challenges, and emotions that dramas can portray. After watching The Fisherman’s Diary, I know that this genre can be both enriching and unforgettable, and I am excited to give it the attention it deserves.

Conclusion

In sum, watching “The Fisherman’s Diary” completely transformed my perspective on drama movies. What I once saw as slow and uninteresting turned out to be powerful, relatable, and full of meaningful lessons that reflected my own experiences growing up. The film showed me that dramas can inspire, educate, and leave a lasting impact, opening my mind to the emotional depth and valuable stories the genre has to offer. Since then, I have been eager to explore more dramas, curious to discover the lessons, insights, and emotions they can bring into my life. I am inviting @walictd, @crismenia and @suboohi to share their thoughts.