Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, is gearing up for his next documentary, In Whose Name?, boasting a “billion-dollar budget,” according to a press release shared via Variety. Reuniting with Come to Life director Nicolas Ballesteros, the project aims to explore the “unfiltered aspects” of celebrity life, delving into the provocative opinions, grand visions, and bold contrarianism that have defined Ye as one of the world’s most controversial artists. The film spans a six-year journey and marks Ye’s second foray into documentary filmmaking, following the 2022 Netflix docu-series jeen-yuhs, which he co-produced with Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah.

The documentary, produced by Goodfellas and Utopia, will premiere a promo reel at the upcoming American Film Market in Las Vegas. The production team includes Jack M. Russell and Shy Ranje as co-producers, Justin Staple as co-executive producer, and David Bullock as associate producer. While no release date has been announced, anticipation is building for this latest cinematic endeavor.

6 YEARS IN THE MAKING

Variety reports that In Whose Name? has been in development for six years, with Ballesteros capturing Ye’s journey using an iPhone. The film promises to present an unfiltered look at celebrity life, confronting the controversies and complexities surrounding Ye’s career.

The documentary explores Ye’s rise to becoming the richest Black man in American history, while examining the risks he took in pursuit of personal freedom. It delves into the cultural, corporate, and racial dynamics that shaped his journey, revealing the psychological struggles tied to the American dream.

Marie Zeniter, vice president of sales at Utopia, and Eva Diederix, head of sales at Goodfellas, expressed their excitement for the film’s debut at the American Film Market. They stated, “This powerful documentary offers an unfiltered view without narration, inviting audiences to draw their own conclusions on themes of fame, religion, and power. We believe audiences globally deserve to witness how one of the world’s most influential figures navigates the complexities and contradictions of celebrity.”

KANYE GIVES IT A RAVING REVIEW

After viewing the final cut, Ye’s reaction was characteristically profound. In a text exchange shared by Ballesteros, Ye described the experience as “deep,” likening it to “being dead and looking back on my life.” In Whose Name? promises to be a compelling exploration of Ye’s multifaceted persona and the turbulent world of celebrity.

 

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This is the most profound text message I have ever received,” the director wrote back. “I love you brother.” It appears this documentary will delve into another layer of the man also known as a “Jeen-Yuhs” from Netflix’s docuseries.