A mystery-shrouded documentary about Kanye West has surfaced, with Variety able to reveal details for the very first time alongside its title and a first-look image.
Entitled “In Whose Name?,” the project has been shooting for the last six years, features never-before-seen footage and, according to its description, “promises to offer a unique and cinematic perspective on Ye’s public transformation.” (West changed his name to Ye in 2021.)
Goodfellas and Utopia will join forces to launch international sales of “In Whose Name?” at the American Film Market, with an exclusive promo reel screening on Nov. 7.
The synopsis reads: “With a billion-dollar budget and a commitment to truth, Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, invites 18-year-old Nicolas Ballesteros armed with an iPhone on a six-year journey revealing unfiltered aspects of celebrity life which confront the provocative opinions, grand visions and bold contrarianism that defined him as the world’s most controversial artist. The film follows Ye’s ascent to becoming the richest Black man in American history while uncovering why the superstar risked everything he had built in the name of freedom. Examining the culture that birthed the star, ‘In Whose Name?’ explores the overlapping influences of corporate exploitation, racial complexities and psychological struggles inherent in the American dream.”
Currently in post-production, “In Whose Name?” was produced by Ballesteros with co-producers Jack M. Russel and Shy Ranje. Justin Staple is co-executive producer and David Bullock serves as associate producer.
“We’re thrilled to present ‘In Whose Name?’ at AFM,” said Marie Zeniter, vice president of sales at Utopia and Eva Diederix, head of sales at Goodfellas. “This powerful documentary offers an unfiltered view without narration, it invites audiences to draw their own conclusions on themes of fame, religion and power. We believe audiences globally deserve the chance to witness how one of the world’s most influential figures navigates the complexities and contradictions of celebrity.”
In recent years, West has become less known for his music and more for a spate of incidents and controversies, including his high-profile marriage to Kim Kardashian and their subsequent divorce, an unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2020 and several antisemitic statements he made that saw him lose various sponsorships and contracts. While these aren’t mentioned in the “In Whose Name?” description, Variety understands that those behind the project want its contents to be kept under wraps. Given the timeframe the doc covers, it seems his controversies are likely to be addressed in some way.
More news about the film and its upcoming release is set to be announced soon.
