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The Fisherman’s Diary (2020): Cast, Ratings & Plot

The Fisherman’s Diary (2020) movie poster

The Fisherman’s Diary is a 2020 drama directed by Enah Johnscott, starring Faith Fidel as Ekah, Kang Quintus and Ramsey Nouah. It runs 2 hours 22 minutes. Its Echo Score is 75/100.

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The Fisherman’s Diary (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 22m (142 min)
Director
Enah Johnscott
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Fisherman’s Diary About?

The premise of The Fisherman’s Diary without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Inspired by the story of Malala Yousafzai, a twelve-year-old girl named Ekah is determined to attend school in a village where educating girls is forbidden. Her resolve to challenge this tradition uncovers her father Solomon’s past involvement with girls’ education, revealing a complex history and personal connection to the issue.

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Cast & crew

The Fisherman’s Diary Cast & Characters

Faith Fidel leads the cast as Ekah, with Kang Quintus as Solomon and Ramsey Nouah as The Headmaster. Directed by Enah Johnscott; 8 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Fisherman’s Diary

· 4 more
From the director

More from Enah Johnscott

One more film directed by Enah Johnscott: Half Heaven.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Fisherman’s Diary Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (92) and weakest in art & craft (40).

75 /100

The Fisherman’s Diary Echo Score Breakdown

The Fisherman’s Diary delivers a compelling emotional narrative centered on girls' education, but its technical execution is uneven. Reviewers consistently praise the heartfelt performances and the film’s socially resonant message, while frequently noting amateurish production values, erratic pacing, and subpar sound design. The soundtrack receives both commendation for its emotive quality and criticism for excessive presence. Overall, the film succeeds in its thematic ambition yet is hampered by flaws in craft that limit its broader appeal.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 40

    Technical craftsmanship is a notable weakness. Multiple reviewers cite primitive production, poor sound quality, and a lengthy, uneven edit that detract from the viewing experience. The cinematography and design receive little positive mention, suggesting a lack of standout visual artistry. While some note brief moments of visual promise when the plot intensifies, these are insufficient to offset overall deficiencies. Consequently, the film’s art and craft are judged below average.

  • Character & Emotion 92

    Acting and emotional resonance emerge as the film’s greatest strength. Critics highlight Faith Fidel’s performance and the fisherman's daughter’s portrayal as deeply moving, often describing viewers as brought to tears. The chemistry among characters and the authenticity of their struggles receive consistent praise across reviews. No significant criticism of performance quality appears, indicating a strong, resonant portrayal of the central themes. This results in a high character and emotion rating.

  • Story & Flow 77

    The narrative engages with a powerful social issue and maintains audience interest for many. Reviewers commend the story’s inspirational message about education and its emotional depth, labeling it riveting and valuable. Some find the plot confusing, cite an overly layered structure, and criticize the fairy‑tale ending and pacing. Despite these concerns, the core storyline is viewed as meaningful and largely coherent, yielding a solid but not flawless story score.

  • Sensory Experience 68

    Soundtrack and auditory elements receive mixed feedback. Several reviewers applaud the emotive score and its capacity to enhance the film’s atmosphere. Conversely, complaints about poor sound quality, excessive music, and distracting technical details are common. Visual styling is rarely discussed, implying a neutral impact. The sensory experience, therefore, is moderately effective but marred by inconsistencies that prevent a higher rating.

  • Rewatch Factor 82

    The film’s thematic relevance and emotional impact encourage repeat viewings. Critics express a desire to revisit the story for its inspirational value and to reflect on its social commentary. While length and technical flaws are noted, they do not substantially diminish overall enjoyment. The combination of heartfelt performances and a compelling message fosters lasting appeal, resulting in a strong rewatch factor.

Plot

The Fisherman’s Diary Plot Summary

What happens in The Fisherman’s Diary from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a remote fishing village where tradition dictates that educating girls is a grave violation, twelve-year-old Ekah is determined to change her fate by pursuing her education. Inspired by the courageous story of Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai, Ekah teaches herself to read and write while helping her widowed father, Solomon, make a living. Solomon, however, staunchly opposes his daughter attending classes, clinging to the belief that women should remain at home in preparation for their future roles as wives. His perspective is deeply rooted in personal tragedy, stemming from experiences that left him disillusioned about the value of education.

Full summary

The whole story of The Fisherman’s Diary, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

The Fisherman’s Diary Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Fisherman’s Diary.

The Fisherman's Diary Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Fisherman’s Diary?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the twelve-year-old protagonist who is determined to pursue an education?

Details

The Fisherman’s Diary Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “مذكرات صياد” and “渔夫日记”.

Also known as
  • مذكرات صياد
  • 渔夫日记
  • 漁夫日誌
  • Ribarov dnevnik
  • Deník rybáře
  • Le journal du pêcheur
  • Το Ημερολόγιο του Ψαρά
  • יומנו של דייג
  • A halász naplója
  • Il diario del pescatore
  • 漁村の片隅で
  • 어부의 딸
+10 more
  • Pamiętnik rybaka
  • O Diário do Pescador
  • Diário de um Pescador
  • Jurnalul pescarului
  • Дневник рыбака
  • El diario del pescador
  • บันทึกคนหาปลา
  • Balıkçının Günlüğü
  • Щоденник рибалки
  • Nhật Ký Ngư Dân

Seen The Fisherman’s Diary?

FAQ

The Fisherman’s Diary FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Fisherman’s Diary, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Fisherman’s Diary?

The Fisherman’s Diary runs 2 hours 22 minutes (142 minutes).

When was The Fisherman’s Diary released?

The Fisherman’s Diary was released on September 1, 2020.

Who directed The Fisherman’s Diary?

The Fisherman’s Diary was directed by Enah Johnscott.

More films by Enah Johnscott

Who is in the cast of The Fisherman’s Diary?

The Fisherman’s Diary stars Faith Fidel as Ekah, Kang Quintus as Solomon and Ramsey Nouah as The Headmaster, among 8 credited actors.

Does The Fisherman’s Diary have a post-credit scene?

No. The Fisherman’s Diary has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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