Trailer for ‘Coconut Head Generation’ Doc About Nigerian Cinephiles
by Alex Billington
April 8, 2024
Source: YouTube
“It’s a movie club where you come, see a film and afterwards, talk about it.” Several Futures has unveiled another new official US trailer for an acclaimed indie documentary film titled Coconut Head Generation from Nigeria, about African cinephiles at a university. This premiered at numerous film festivals in 2023 and is set to open in the US this month. The older generation sometimes disparagingly calls them ‘coconut heads” (or “brainless youth”), but the students at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria are anything but that. They follow-up their visits to a campus film club with in-depth discussions about subjects such as feminism, migration, human rights, colonialism, and politics – always inspired by watching films. The debate gets heated sometimes, but always stays focused on the subject. Every Thursday, a group of students organize a film club, transforming a small theater into a political agora where they refine their vision and develop a critical voice. This term Coconut Head Generation takes on a whole new meaning when students turn this stigma around to claim their freedom of thought. Looks intriguing! I’d like to listen in to the conversations.
Two official trailers (+ poster) for Alain Kassanda’s doc Coconut Head Generation, found on YouTube:
Every Thursday, a group of students from the University of Ibadan—the oldest in Nigeria—organizes a film club, transforming a small amphitheater into a political agora where young people refine their vision and develop a critical voice. “Coconut Head Generation,” a scornful expression to designate a stubborn and brainless youth of today, takes on a whole new meaning when the students turn this stigma around, reclaiming their freedom of thought. Director Alain Kassanda’s empathetic portrait captures passionate students debating politics, gender, and the future of their nation. Coconut Head Generation is directed by Congolese-French filmmaker Alain Kassanda, making his second doc feature after directing Colette and Justin previously. It’s also produced by Alain Kassanda for Ajímátí Films. This initially premiered at the 2023 Cinéma du Réel Film Festival last year. Several Futures will debut Coconut Head Generation in select US theaters (at BAM in NYC) starting on April 26th, 2024 this spring. Anyone curious to find out more?