Charles Novia: How I suffered midlife crisis at an early age

Charles Novia, Nigerian filmmaker, says he suffered a midlife crisis a few years ago — at an earlier age than is usually expected.

The 49-year-old actor and movie director brought the revelation to light while reflecting on several issues spanning his career and personal life on the latest edition of #WithChude

A midlife crisis is a period of doubt and anxiety that some people experience in middle age — usually between 45 and 65 — when they think about whether their life is the kind that they want.

Novia said the incident transpired between 2003 and 2004 when he was making strides in the movie landscape and releasing films on regular basis.

The filmmaker said despite his success at the time, he felt something was not right and became anxious thereafter.

“In 2003, 2004, when my movies were all up there and I was doing a whole lot of movies, I actually woke up one morning- I think I maybe had a midlife crisis at an early age- and I felt something was not right,” he said.

“I was making a whole lot of movies, my films were all there but I felt something was not right. Something was telling me, ‘there is no structure in what you are doing. DVDs and VHS are all the rave now but what if it ends tomorrow? What’s going to happen?”

He said the experience lasted for months, adding that it informed his decision to explore investment in the music industry.

The 50-year-old actor noted that it also led to his collaboration with Majekodunmi Fasheke, the late music icon better known as Majek Fashek.