Nigerian director Korede Azeez’s latest film, “With Difficulty Comes Ease,” is set to premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video on Aug. 1, 2024.
The film, starring Uzoamaka Aniunoh, Caleb Richards, Ummi Baba-Ahmed and Michelle Dede, explores themes of loss, tradition and new beginnings through the story of Zainab, an Igbo-Ebira woman.
Shot in both English and Hausa, the movie follows Zainab’s journey as she navigates religious and cultural expectations while grappling with personal trials. Azeez, who wrote and directed the film, aims to highlight the strength of women facing adversity.
“‘With Difficulty Comes Ease’ explores the unrelenting spirit of women, no matter their religion, tribe, or family background,” Azeez said in an exclusive interview with The Nollywood Reporter.
The film was executively produced by BB Sasore, known for directing “Breath of Life,” which won Best Movie at the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, was also produced by Sheriff Akinola Bakare, with Fulfillment Nwaturuocha, Joshua Enakarhire and Azeez as co-producers.
Azeez’s directorial journey began with her participation in the Netflix-UN Folktales Reimagined series, an initiative supporting emerging Sub-Saharan African filmmakers. Her debut feature, “It Blooms In June,” was produced under Steve Gukas’ Natives Filmworks First Features project.
The director emphasized that while the film’s title might appeal to Muslim audiences, it aims to foster understanding across cultures. “I believe that storytelling is a tool for us to understand one another,” Azeez explained.
The production of “With Difficulty Comes Ease” involved over 200 volunteers, including Azeez’s daughter, who appeared on set.
As “With Difficulty Comes Ease” prepares for its streaming debut, it promises to offer viewers a unique perspective on cultural identity, resilience and the universal strength of the human spirit.