Inside Kanye's Turbulent Journey: Director Unveils Untold Story
Kanye West's Most Turbulent Years Captured on Film: Director Nico Ballesteros Spills the Tea
Get ready for the most explosive documentary of the year, as filmmaker Nico Ballesteros' six-year journey following Kanye West around with a camera finally makes its way to the big screen. In Whose Name?, the unauthorized doc has been making waves since its announcement, and now we're getting an exclusive look at what's in store for viewers.
Ballesteros, just 18 when he started filming West in 2016, had no idea what he was getting himself into. "I was like a fly on the wall," he recalls in his first-ever public interview with The Scholarly Note. "I didn't know what to expect, but I knew it would be wild." And wild is exactly what we got – six years of Kanye's most turbulent times, captured on film for all to see.
From hospitalizations due to mental breakdowns to the disintegration of his marriage to Kim Kardashian, Ballesteros' footage has it all. He even captured West's infamous anti-Semitic outbursts, including his praise for Hitler and vow to "go death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE." But don't worry, folks; this isn't just a sensationalized retelling of the rapper's most explosive moments – Ballesteros is after something deeper.
"I didn't make this documentary to tell a story of descent or unraveling," he insists. "I wanted to show the beauty and complexity of an American figure." And that's exactly what he does, with West's highs and lows put on full display for viewers. The doc doesn't shy away from controversy, but it also refuses to reduce West to his most egregious actions.
Ballesteros himself has been open about his own experiences filming West, who treated him with kindness and respect despite their vastly different backgrounds. "He was always polite to me – even a kind of mentor, at least creatively," he says. When asked if he supported West's views on anti-Semitism, Ballesteros quickly distances himself: "I don't support hate speech or any form of intolerance."
The documentary features some stunning footage, including West's infamous White House meeting with Donald Trump in 2018. On camera, Kanye tells Jared Kushner that he needs to be treated like a "foreign dignitary" and warns about potential threats from anti-Semitic groups. It's just one of many eye-opening moments in the film.
One of the most striking aspects of In Whose Name? is its raw, vérité style – no talking-head commentary or sugarcoating here. Ballesteros' approach is unflinching and observational, putting viewers in the shoes of those closest to West during his most tumultuous times.
The film also raises important questions about mental health, with West himself advocating for greater openness and understanding. "When he was meeting with Pharrell, he said: 'This documentary is about mental health,'" Ballesteros recalls. "That was like the first week or so of me filming inside the office."
In Whose Name? has been touted as a game-changer in the world of music documentaries, and it's easy to see why. With its unflinching portrayal of West's highs and lows, it's sure to spark conversations about celebrity culture, mental health, and the blurred lines between public and private lives.
As for what's next, Ballesteros is tight-lipped but promises that In Whose Name? will be a wild ride. "We'll show you everything – the good, the bad, and the ugly," he teases. And with its September 19 release date at over 1,000 AMC movie theaters, fans are sure to get their fix.
So buckle up, folks! This is one documentary event you won't want to miss.
