Ivory Coast, 1978. It\'s a golden time, and the nation, too-an oasis of affluence and stability in West Africa-seems fueled by something wondrous. Aya is loosely based upon Marguerite Abouet\'s youth in Yop City. It is the story of the studious and clear-sighted 19-year old Aya, her easy-going friends Adjoua and Bintou, and their meddling relatives and neighbors. It\'s wryly funny, breezy account of the simple pleasures and private troubles of everyday life in Yop City.