Kanye West, also known as Ye, allowed a young filmmaker, Nico Ballesteros, unprecedented access to his life over six years.
This footage forms the basis of a raw, unfiltered documentary titled In Whose Name? set for release on September 19.
KANYE WEST’S LIFE
The film presents a vivid portrayal of West’s turbulent years, capturing his struggles with mental health, his bipolar diagnosis, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
It also covers the breakdown of his marriage to Kim Kardashian and public controversies, including antisemitic remarks.
Ballesteros, who began filming West when he was just 18, shot more than 3,000 hours during some of the most challenging periods of West’s life.
THE KANYE WEST DOCUMENTARY
The documentary offers a deep, intimate look at Ye’s world, from his Yeezy brand meetings to his Sunday Service performances.
It highlights both his creative genius and personal struggles.
The film contains candid moments such as West declaring, “I’m off my meds for five months now,” and “I would rather be dead than be on medication.”
Kim Kardashian’s emotional voiceover also features, recalling how different his personality was just a few years ago.
STYLISTIC CHOICE FOR THE DOCUMENTARY
The documentary’s style is distinctive, as producer Simran A. Singh notes, it avoids commentary or conclusion. It leaves audiences to interpret Kanye West’s story themselves.
Ballesteros aimed to document not only West’s public persona but also the human condition underlying his contradictions, genius intertwined with vulnerability and volatility.
The film captures significant personal moments for audiences to reflect on. This is especially considering rising awareness around mental health and public figures’ struggles worldwide.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
Kanye West’s refusal to take medication amidst his bipolar diagnosis raises important questions about mental illness stigma and treatment choices.
These are themes relevant to South Africa’s growing mental health discourse.
The film also exposes the impact of fame on family life, emphasising challenges faced by those in the public eye and their loved ones.
KANYE WEST AND KIM
As the documentary shows, West’s relationship with Kim Kardashian suffered greatly under the pressures of public scrutiny and his mental health difficulties.
Their children and family life appear in the film, giving a glimpse of the private side behind West’s intense public image.
The film will be released in partnership with AMC, Regal, and Cinemark, hitting approximately 1,000 theatres across America.
The South African release is not confirmed yet, but its themes around creativity, mental health, and personal struggle will likely resonate universally.
A MULTI-FACETED MAN
With over 3,000 hours of footage to condense, Ballesteros’s commitment to authentically capturing a multifaceted man’s journey stands out.
He said, “For a shy kid, the camera became both a shield and a window… Kanye West has always had someone filming him, too, a lens between him and the noise.
Maybe that’s why we understood each other without saying much”.
In Whose Name? offers a sobering exploration of fame, mental health, and personal truth. It challenges stigma, opens conversation, and reveals the human beneath a global icon’s public struggles.
DO YOU BELIEVE DOCUMENTARIES LIKE THIS HELP REDUCE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL ILLNESS?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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