For a span of six years, Kanye West, also monikered Ye, granted an aspiring director from Orange County unparalleled access into his life, his moments of vulnerability, and his innermost circle. The culmination of this extraordinary access will soon unfold on the silver screen in the documentary "In Whose Name?," set for release by AMSI Entertainment in collaboration with AMC, Regal, and Cinemark on September 19th.
Ballesteros, who began documenting Ye's life at the tender age of 18, amassed over 3,000 hours of footage amidst some of West's most tumultuous periods. This included his battles with mental health and a bipolar diagnosis, the dissolution of his marriage to Kim Kardashian, the collapse of lucrative endorsement deals, and a series of contentious public statements promoting antisemitic views, conspiracy theories, and personal assaults on fellow artists and celebrities.
As the teaser opens, West declares, "I'm off my meds for five months now," later adding, "I would rather be dead than be on medication." Kardashian's voice cracks through in a poignant voiceover as she weeps, "Your personality was not like this a few years ago!" The documentary is interspersed with heartfelt scenes featuring the couple's children and their family life, alongside glimpses of West in design sessions for his Yeezy brand, leading his spiritual Sunday Service gatherings, and performing at concerts. At one poignant moment, West is seen wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with the phrase "White Lives Matter."
In a statement, Ballesteros revealed that he started filming his own life when he was just eight years old. "For a shy child, the camera served as both a shield and a window, a means to channel my introspection while still engaging with the world," he shared. "Ye has always had someone filming him too, a lens serving as a buffer between him and the cacophony. Perhaps this is why we connected deeply without needing many words. I faded into the background, ever-present, with the camera rolling incessantly, capturing authentic moments beyond the public persona."
According to the film's official synopsis, "What began as a silent observation blossomed into a profound journey of artistic and personal growth. Immersed in Ye's world of extremes, Ballesteros bore witness to brilliance intertwined with breakdowns, triumphs juxtaposed with turmoil. He also observed the paranoia and intensity that increasingly defined Ye's universe. Ultimately, Ballesteros captured not merely a portrait of Ye, but a mirror reflecting the human condition in all its contradictions."
Producer Simran A. Singh elaborated, "This film presents an unvarnished and often unsettling portrayal, devoid of commentary or a definitive conclusion, allowing viewers to decipher the events for themselves. Nico lived alongside Ye, camera in hand, unsure of what he was capturing or where it would lead, and it is precisely this uncertainty that lends the footage its raw power." Singh's producing credits also include the Sundance Film Festival selection "Selena y Los Dinos," slated for Netflix later this year, "Reggaeton: The Sound that Conquered the World," and "Selena: The Series."
Ballesteros directed, produced, and edited "In Whose Name?," with his team comprising editors Jack M. Russell and Justin Staple, executive producers Nick Jarjour and Amy A. Singh, co-producers Shy Ranje and Jack M. Russell, and co-executive producer Justin Staple. A graduate of the Film & Television Conservatory at the Orange County School of the Arts, Ballesteros has previously directed music videos such as "Can't Relate" for Gunna, "M3tamorphosis" for Playboi Carti featuring Kid Cudi, and West's own "Come to Life."
