Nico Ballesteros has created a documentary that is set to make its debut on streaming platforms at midnight. The film, titled In Whose Name?, will be available on Apple, Amazon, Google/YouTube, and Fandango (in select territories) following its theatrical release on September 19.
Ballesteros began documenting Kanye West, also known as Ye, when the rapper was just 18 years old. Over the course of six years, he captured the highs and lows of West’s life, including his bipolar diagnosis, his mental health challenges, the collapse of his marriage to Kim Kardashian, and the various controversies that have surrounded him throughout his career.
Ballesteros expressed his gratitude for the positive reception the film has received from audiences, critics, and fellow filmmakers. “By extending its reach beyond the theater, the film brings its exploration of American belief, power, and identity to a global audience,” he said in a statement. “It offers a deeper understanding of America’s contradictions while illuminating the life and legacy of one of the most iconic entertainers of our time.”
The documentary features a compelling teaser in which West shares some of his personal struggles. He states, “I’m off my meds for five months now. … I would rather be dead than be on medication.” This moment highlights the intense emotional journey that the film takes viewers through.
One of the most talked-about moments in the documentary was an exclusive interview between West and Elon Musk, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter before the film’s release. During their conversation, Musk asked West about his relationship with Grimes, his former partner and mother of three of his children.
“So are you and Kim like off and on or something? Or, I don’t know, it’s hard to tell,” Musk asked. West did not immediately respond, leading Musk to continue: “Claire and I, Grimes, we’re sort of … in the same text stream, she’s like, ‘I love you.’ And then, like, you know, a day later, like, ‘I hate you.'”
“And what do you do?” West asked. “And you probably know exactly, and I’m like, ‘Whoa, OK.’ Yeah, exactly,” Musk replied, followed by a long pause. West then responded, “I don’t have answers. Answers to everything except for that.”
Musk is not the only high-profile figure featured in the documentary. President Donald Trump, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Drake, Rihanna, LeBron James, Lady Gaga, Pharrell Williams, Diddy, Anna Wintour, the late Charlie Kirk, and Kim Kardashian all appear in the film, offering unique perspectives on West’s life and career.
The official synopsis of the film describes it as a journey of artistic and personal growth. “What began as silent observation evolved into a profound journey of artistic and personal growth. Immersed in Ye’s world of extremes, he bore witness to brilliance and breakdowns, triumphs and turmoil; but also observed the paranoia and intensity that increasingly shaped Ye’s world. In the end, Ballesteros captured not just a portrait of Ye, but a reflection of the human condition in all its contradictions.”
Ballesteros spoke with The Hollywood Reporter ahead of the film’s release, emphasizing the importance of a theatrical debut. “I cut a film for the theatrical experience, not for anything else. I edited the film in a theater. The fact that it’s getting a wide release and not something that’s limited or only available for a weekend already, is something that I’m so grateful for,” he said. “That alone really is the world to me, honestly.”
The film was directed, produced, and edited by Ballesteros, with Simran A. Singh serving as producer. Jack M. Russell and Justin Staple were the editors, while Nick Jarjour and Amy A. Singh were executive producers. Shy Ranje and Jack M. Russell co-produced the film, and Justin Staple co-executive produced it.