“With Difficulty Comes Ease” Review: A Nuanced Approach To Identity and Religion

With Difficulty Comes Ease, written and directed by Korede Azeez (Halima’s Choice, It Blooms In June), tells the story of a Muslim woman and her attempts to navigate social and religious expectations, following the death of her husband in an accident. Starring Uzoamaka Anuiunoh in the lead role of Zainab, the film explores the widow’s battle with financial woes as she endures living with an annoying mother-in-law. Through friendship formed from a chance meeting with Rayan (Caleb Richards), she finds succor and is led down the path of rebirth and self-discovery. The film’s cast also includes Hausa and English-speaking actors, some of Northern Nigerian extraction, through which the filmmaker executes her vision of topicalizing the Othered. Her vision is inspired by the belief that there are not too many admirable or sterling Muslim characters as lead in major Nollywood films. 

In the film, this sense of Otherness is registered through the experiences of Zainab and Rayan. Due to their personal choices and decisions, both characters are made to feel rebellious and different from their families. From their discussions, we understand that the reality of ideological differences has taken a negative toll on each of their families. Growing up, Zainab, also called Ene, used to practice her mother’s religion, Christianity, before she became a Muslim after her father. This religious discrepancy is believed to have torn the family apart. Rayan, who used to be known as Raymond Orji,  is rejected by his mother and brother for converting from Christianity to Islam. A complex religious and social identity defines Zainab and Rayann, making them better suited for each other in a society that frowns at non-conforming behavior. No wonder, these characters suffer feelings of isolation and abandonment, complicating the lines between their identity and aspirations.

Even in their state of non-conformity, the filmmaker takes care to represent Zainab and Rayann, with their common religious belief, Islam, in a positive light regardless of any flaws they exhibit. Contrary to the popularly circulated sentiment that religion and culture are used more often than not as agents of oppression, Korede Azeez holds the characters of her film responsible for their actions without misdirecting the blame on conventional belief systems. One might think Zainab is too calm for her often overbearing mother-in-law Hajiya (Ummi Baba-Ahmed). But then, she can exercise restraint and gain control of her emotions as a widow, which positions the female protagonist as a respectable and honorable woman. 

Korede Azeez’ film highlights the biological and sociological factors that affect the perception of women within institutions of family and marriage and in Nigerian society at large. Childbirth and motherhood are considered important to the value of women in the family. We notice this in an early scene where Umar (Ibrahim Daddy), Qasim’s brother, tells Zainab that she is entitled to only one-quarter of the deceased’s properties since she doesn’t have a child. It is on her special request that Umar permits her to continue running her husband’s fabrics shop.

In Nigerian films, it is common to find women exposed and represented as victims of physical and emotional abuse orchestrated by their male counterparts. But the filmmaker here appears to be more driven to spotlight how women can equally be complicit. We are informed that Zainab, who seems childless at the beginning, suffered five miscarriages, three of which are known to her Hajiya. However, Hajiya’s insensitivity and conditional affection towards her daughter-in-law create the required public awareness about the role of women in sponsoring and championing the emotional abuse and ostracization of their fellow women. On the contrary, Rayan’s acts of assistance towards Zainab, which include helping her recover funds from her deceased husband Qasim’s account, offering advice and emotional support and temporarily forfeiting his home for her comfort, helps to fill the gaps created by loss and melancholy.

In her film, Korede Azeez portrays a complex female protagonist with identity crisis, contributing to emerging perspectives on the modern African woman. Events in the film happen at a slow but artful pace, aiding a contemplative and pensive atmosphere, yet complimenting the thematic trajectory.