The University of Ibadan started out as an extension of the British colonial rule in contemporary Nigeria. Starting during the late 2010s, the university has many extracurricular programs like a club that discusses movies. As these things often go, they sometimes digress from their regular movie discussions and discuss issues closer to their immediate needs. A member tells the other that most Nigerians go to university for the status that it still holds a leg up above others. Another member does a slam poetry performance about the false promises of a university education in Nigeria.

Sometimes, Alain Kassanda’s Coconut Head Generation goes outside of the club to show life in the university. The university has its share of rolling blackouts, which make it more difficult for the students to do their studying. All of these lead to massive protests to let the general public know about the issues that young people face. The film, as I wrote above, has its share of outside photography, necessary especially during the blackouts. But most of the time, it shows us the club’s meetings, a theoretical safe space for the members of the club. This safe space, then, means that the male students, maybe for the first time, are hearing their female members.

The more things change, the more they’re the same, which is partly the message of Coconut Head Generation. Whether or not someone is in the global north or south, it still captures the academic language in these debates. Thankfully, these students aren’t always debating, as they form a united front when they meet a distinguished guest. That guest happens to be an award winning photographer who captures the harsh living conditions in universities. A lot of the members still need to grow up, but their guest makes them realize that they have more in common. Some members still remind others of their differences but for now, they have to fight their common, real enemy.

Coconut Head Generation affirms what most people know about protest culture – that these people love their country. They protest knowing what other people, mostly those from older generations, will say negative things to them. The documentary depicts its little share of boomers counter protesting the students, but the students have clapbacks. There’s some didacticism during these clapbacks, but in fairness, that’s the easiest way to disseminate information. Besides, that scene shows character work even in a documentary, as it captures Davids trying to beat their Goliath. The title refers to an insult about young people’s stubbornness, but sometimes stubbornness is a good thing.

Coconut Head Generation comes soon on OVID.