EXCLUSIVE: In Whose Name? — Nico Ballesteros‘ lauded documentary chronicling Kanye West‘s (now legally known as Ye) mental health struggles, bigoted proclamations and dissolution of his high-profile marriage to Kim Kardashian — will be made available to stream globally on VOD platforms (Apple, Amazon, Google/YouTube and Fandango) at midnight.
Crafted from 3,000 hours of unrestricted access to the embattled rapper over a six-year period beginning when Ballesteros was an 18-year-old Orange County native, the doc traces the eccentric artist’s bipolar diagnosis amid the rise of his billion-dollar fashion empire, fallout of a collapsing marriage and heightened media scrutiny stemming from public backlash and disappearing brand deals. Throughout the 104-minute runtime, Ballesteros follows Ye from his Chicagoan hometown to the White House, from meetings with Elon Musk to Kenny G.
“Set against the backdrop of fame, faith, mental health, and power, the film offers unprecedented access to Ye’s private world; stripped of spectacle, steeped in contradiction,” reads a portion of the film’s synopsis. “It is a coming-of-age story for both artist and filmmaker.”
“At just 18, I was barely out of high school when my life changed overnight,” Ballesteros recalled in a statement. “I went from a middle-class upbringing to flying on private jets, shadowing one of the most famous people alive. I had studied documentary filmmaking but didn’t yet have a subject. Ye became that subject. His world gave me both purpose and a space to develop my craft. In Whose Name is the culmination of that journey.”
The film, released theatrically on approximately 1,000 screens Sept. 19, held the No. 1 documentary spot for two weeks, opening to critical and audience acclaim.
“I am humbled at the reception this movie has gotten from audiences, critics and my peers in the filmmaking community,” Ballesteros continued. “By extending its reach beyond the theater, the film brings its exploration of American belief, power, and identity to a global audience, offering a deeper understanding of America’s contradictions while illuminating the life and legacy of one of the most iconic entertainers of our time.”
In Whose Name? is directed, produced and edited by Ballesteros, who also served as the AMSI Entertainment feature’s cinematographer. Additional credits include Simran A. Singh as producer, Jack M. Russell and Justin Staple as editors, Nick Jarjour and Amy A. Singh as EPs, as well as Shy Ranje and Russell as co-producers, and Staple as co-EP.
