The protagonist Aya links the seemingly unrelated themes of growing up, climate change and life on an Ivory Coast island. Through sparse dialogue and strong images, the film shows how fast the coming-of-age process can be in the 21st century regardless of geographical latitude.

Adolescent Aya lives with her mother and small brother on an island in the Atlantic. The carefree days Aya spends relaxing on the beach or picking coconuts are in contrast with her mother’s fears about the family’s future. The fact is that the island is slowly sinking because of rising sea levels, and the current way of life is threatened by more than just the consequences of climate change. Aya sees no reason to leave like many other island inhabitants are doing. But growing up isn’t easy, and even the heroine of this film, screened at the last Cannes festival, has to face her first major life challenge.