With Difficulty Comes Ease
{{Infobox film
| director = Korede Azeez
| writer = Korede Azeez
| producer = Sheriff Akinola Bakare
| starring = Uzoamaka Aniunoh
Caleb Richards
Ummi Baba-Ahmed
| cinematography = Olamilekan Olaoye Sheriff Bakare
| editing = Steven Iordye Korede Azeez
| studio = Nemsia Studios
| distributor = Amazon Prime Video
| released = {{Film date|2024|08|1|df=y}}
| country = Nigeria
| language = English, Hausa
}}
With Difficulty Comes Ease is a 2024 Nigerian drama film written and directed by Korede Azeez and produced by Sheriff Akinola Bakare in collaboration with Nemsia Studios. The film premiered via Amazon Prime Video, the film received critical acclaim, winning awards at The Annual Film Mischief 2024.{{Cite web |last=NAN |date=2024-07-30 |title=Nollywood film 'With Difficulty Comes Ease' premiers Aug. 1st |url=https://guardian.ng/life/nollywood-film-with-difficulty-comes-ease-premiers-aug-1st/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=The Guardian}}{{Cite web |last=Telegraph |first=New |date=2024-08-10 |title=Nemsia Studios' 'With Difficulty Comes Ease', scores high on Amazon Prime |url=https://newtelegraphng.com/nemsia-studios-with-difficulty-comes-ease-scores-high-on-amazon-prime/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=New Telegraph |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title="With Difficulty Comes Ease" Makes Its Debut on Amazon Prime Video |url=https://thenollywoodreporter.com/news/with-difficulty-comes-ease-makes-its-debut-on-amazon-prime-video/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=Nollywood Reporter |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=With Difficulty Comes Ease {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/with_difficulty_comes_ease |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}}
Plot
Set in the conservative and deeply cultural backdrop of Northern Nigeria, the film tells the story of Zainab, a 30-year-old woman who becomes a widow shortly after finally conceiving her first child, following six years of infertility. During the Islamic mourning period known as Iddah, Zainab is confronted with financial hardship, community judgment, and pressure from her strict mother-in-law. Amid her struggles, she meets Rayyan, a warm and empathetic bank officer who helps her rediscover her passion for fashion and her strength. As their friendship deepens, Zainab begins to reimagine a future for herself, filled with purpose and hope.{{Cite web |last=Adeneyo |first=Apegg |date=2024-08-22 |title=Movie review: With Difficulty Comes Ease is a touching film that explores the pressure faced by widows - Kemi Filani News |url=https://www.kemifilani.ng/movies/movie-review-with-difficulty-comes-ease-is-a-touching-film-that-explores-the-pressure-faced-by-widows |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=Kemi Filani |language=en-US}}
Cast
- Uzoamaka Aniunoh as Zainab
- Caleb Richards as Rayyan
- Ummi Baba-Ahmed as Hajiya
- Michelle Dede as Nene
- Magaji Mijinyawa as Alhaji Danjuma
- Gloria Johnson as Maman Hadiza
Reception
The film was noted for its sensitive depiction of grief, faith, cultural expectations, and emotional depth. It also depicts Northern Nigerian culture and the exploration of womanhood within a patriarchal society.{{Cite web |last=says |first=Umar |date=2025-01-15 |title=2024 Critics Poll: The Best Nollywood Films and Performances, According to 14 Nigerian Critics from Around the World - What Kept Me Up |url=https://whatkeptmeup.com/nollywood-movies/2024-critics-poll-the-best-nollywood-films-and-performances-according-to-14-nigerian-critics-from-around-the-world/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-08-07 |title='With Difficulty Comes Ease' Review: Uzoamaka Aniunoh Breathes Honesty to the Complexities of Loss and Identity - What Kept Me Up |url=https://whatkeptmeup.com/latest-nigerian-movies/with-difficulty-comes-ease-review-uzoamaka-aniunoh-breathes-honesty-to-the-complexities-of-loss-and-identity/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-12-09 |title=The Best Nollywood Films of 2024 - What Kept Me Up |url=https://whatkeptmeup.com/listicles/the-best-nollywood-films-of-2024/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title="With Difficulty Comes Ease" Paints a Poignant Portrait of Faith and Resilience |url=https://thenollywoodreporter.com/film/with-difficulty-comes-ease-paints-a-poignant-portrait-of-faith-and-resilience/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=Nollywood Reporter |language=en}}
Awards & Recognition
The film won Best Feature Film, Best Screenplay, and the Jury Cheese Prize at The Annual Film Mischief 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-16 |title=The Annual Film Mischief 2024: Celebrating The Best of African Indie Cinema - What Kept Me Up |url=https://whatkeptmeup.com/nigerian-film-festivals/the-annual-film-mischief-2024-celebrating-the-best-of-african-indie-cinema/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |language=en-US}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{imdb title|33075046|With Difficulty Comes Ease}}
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Category:English-language Nigerian films