The Kanye West Documentary: A Glimpse Behind the Curtain
The wait is almost over for the full 2-minute trailer of “In Whose Name?”, a bold cinematic glimpse into the life of polarizing icon Ye, formerly known as Kanye West. This highly anticipated documentary will hit theaters nationwide on September 19, 2025.
A Journey of Unprecedented Access
Shot over six years, the film is the culmination of a remarkable journey by director Nico Ballesteros. At just 18 years old, Ballesteros had unprecedented access to Ye’s inner circle, capturing over 3,000 hours of never-before-seen footage. This unflinching chronicle of life inside Ye’s inner circle is a testament to the power of documentary filmmaking.
From Quiet Observation to Riveting Portrait
What begins as quiet observation soon explodes into a riveting portrait of genius and self-destruction. The film follows Ye as he battles a collapsing marriage, public backlash, vanished sponsorships, and the shattering reality of his bipolar diagnosis, all while building billion-dollar empires in real time. Along the way, Ballesteros becomes an unlikely witness, confidant, and chronicler of an artist stripped of spectacle and laid bare in his contradictions.
The title “In Whose Name?” examines the evolving nature of idolatry, both in Ye’s cultivation of public idolatry and in his pursuit of various idols, from luxury brands and celebrity to faith and family. The film also speaks to the director’s deeper creative and spiritual reckoning: Was this film made in Ye’s name, his own, or something greater?
A Raw and Unsettling Portrait
Producer Simran A. Singh notes, “This film presents a raw and often unsettling portrait, without commentary or conclusion, leaving viewers to interpret the events for themselves.” The footage is powerful because it was captured without knowing what would be revealed or where it would lead.
“In Whose Name?” promises a front-row seat to a once-in-a-generation story of fame, faith, mental health, and power, told from a lens the world was never meant to see. With its national release on September 19, 2025, this documentary is an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Ye’s life and legacy.