As Kanye unraveled, this teen filmed it all. Now you can watch the unauthorized documentary

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The black sport utility vehicle moves towards the White House, transporting Kanye West for a discussion with President Trump, an event that is sure to generate much media attention. In the rear seat, with a red “Make America Great Again” cap partially hiding his face, West appears engrossed in a call to Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and advisor, as he rapidly speaks into his phone.

I’m adamant about sticking to a secure route that a distinguished foreign guest would take,” I emphasize. “My safety is paramount, and I’ve already taken risks by donning this distinctive hat. I deserve admiration and protection because there might be individuals who wish me harm for wearing it. If I meet my end while wearing the hat near the White House, your chances in the midterms won’t improve.

Next to him is Nico Ballesteros, a young man hailing from Orange County, clutching a camera, weary after numerous months of almost continuous shooting and battling to stay awake.

To the general populace, the October 2018 White House visit presented an unusual blend of political and celebrity worlds. West, formerly known as Kanye West but now going by Ye, addressed a live-streamed audience for approximately 10 minutes. His speech wandered from topics such as hydrogen-powered aircraft to “male energy,” and included discussions about his own bipolar disorder. This talk was swiftly satirized on late-night TV, debated on cable news, and scrutinized intensely across social media platforms.

In those years, I found myself trailing after Ye, a journey that took me across the globe – from bustling Asian cities to the European countryside, the vast African plains, and back again. We zigzagged through hotels, private jets, studios, arenas, fashion shows, and even family squabbles, my camera always at the ready. Every morning ride in an SUV was just another moment in a whirlwind of travel and filming.

As I looked back on those years, I realized I had captured over 3,000 hours of footage. It was a labor of love that eventually led to my debut independent documentary, “In Whose Name?”, which premieres on more than a thousand screens starting September 19. The journey may have ended in late 2022, but the memories and stories captured will live on in this film.

In his own words, Ballesteros, now 26 years old, shares his experiences during the six years he spent closely following one of the world’s most renowned figures. As he sits comfortably at a corner table in the Chateau Marmont, there’s an air of both weightiness and apprehension about him – it being his initial interview ever – as he reminisces about those intense years. He explains that sometimes he filmed for 15 to 18 hours straight, but the rest of the time was spent traveling. Due to extreme sleep deprivation, he wasn’t always fully aware of what was happening around him. His wrist would ache from holding the camera for long periods, causing him to shake himself back to consciousness. Immediately after leaving the White House, he and his team found themselves in Uganda.

In contrast to typical celebrity documentaries, “In Whose Name?” features none of the usual glossy presentation, interviews from celebrities themselves, or any participation from its subject. Instead, it presents a raw account: brief glimpses of insight and vulnerability, spectacle and self-destruction, all captured by a young cameraman who was part of Kanye West’s inner circle. The documentary takes viewers on a journey during a time when the rapper and fashion entrepreneur experienced a series of highs (creative bursts) and lows (public breakdowns), an episode that led to the dissolution of his marriage with Kim Kardashian, the termination of his billion-dollar corporate deals, and a significant loss of cultural influence.

Originally a widely respected figure in culture, Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) currently holds a much more divisive position: cherished by a dedicated fanbase, rejected by past collaborators, and largely shut out from mainstream music and fashion. In February, he sparked global outrage once again by retracting a previous 2023 apology for his antisemitic comments and launching into a lengthy rant on social media, stating that he was a Nazi, expressing affection for Adolf Hitler, and maintaining, “I’ll never apologize for my Jewish remarks.” In May, he released a track titled “Heil Hitler” on SoundCloud, grumbling that the song had been banned by all digital streaming platforms. A few weeks later, he declared on X that he was “finished with antisemitism,” writing, “I love all people. May God forgive me for the pain I’ve inflicted.

Against the broader context, the film titled ‘In Whose Name?’ emerges, and Ballesteros emphasizes that his intention wasn’t to criticize or condemn. Instead, he explains that the film isn’t about chronicling decline or disintegration, but rather, it’s a heartfelt narrative about an American personality. Given our headline-driven society, Ballesteros views this production as the substantial content beneath those headlines. He doesn’t aim to convince anyone; instead, he sees it as a Rorschach test, inviting viewers to interpret its meaning individually.

After watching the completed version, he texted Ballesteros, “That documentary was incredibly insightful. It felt like looking back on my life from beyond the grave.” (West’s representatives did not respond to a request for comment regarding this article.)

Ballesteros, who hailed from Orange County, was frequently seen with a camera at an early age, not driven by dreams of Hollywood stardom but as a means to understand the world better. Originating from a lower-middle-class family and having experienced divorce, he secured a place in the film program at the Orange County School of the Arts – a public charter school situated in Santa Ana that caters to artistically inclined students. By this stage, he had already adopted filming as a daily routine. A transformative documentary class during high school further fueled his passion. “That class was a game-changer for me,” he recalls, peppering his conversation with references that span from Andrei Tarkovsky and Hunter S. Thompson to Vice videos and YouTube content creators. “It drew me into storytelling grounded in reality. I fell head over heels for it.

Eager and inquisitive, fueled by the spirit of youthful ambition, he embarked on a quest to explore various subjects relentlessly. This included reaching out to Atari founder Nolan Bushnell via cold emails, collaborating with an artist from South Africa who was associated with Nelson Mandela’s freedom movement, and even traveling to Los Angeles by train at the age of 15 in search of resources. As Ballesteros’ interests evolved towards fashion, hip-hop, and the trends of youth culture, a 2016 screening of Kanye West’s “Life of Pablo” event at Madison Square Garden – a blend of listening party and runway show, broadcast live to cinemas worldwide – served as an inspirational epiphany for him.

He stated, “It felt like a strong pull or destiny.” Translated, it means, “When I saw this field, I was drawn to it, thinking, ‘This is where I belong, and I’d love to create a documentary here.’

From there, he immersed himself in the realms of fashion and music that influenced Ye, taking on roles such as directing music videos and working with brands like Off-White. When Ye’s regular documentarian left, he was a suitable replacement. Initially, he was just one among many camera operators, capturing occasional events. However, over time, he was granted access to Ye’s daily life, accompanying him to offices, studios, and beyond.

He described the experience as reminiscent of finding a golden ticket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – exciting and transformative. It was like entering Andy Warhol’s Factory, an immersive learning opportunity where he witnessed the birth of creative ideas, including interactions between Warhol and director Spike Jonze. This curiosity seemed to catch Kanye West’s attention, leading him to say, “When you film, you’re not just documenting, you’re also understanding what it could be.” This was the starting point of their conversation.

The situation soon became evident that it was quite serious. When West was admitted to the hospital in late 2016 due to exhaustion and a “psychiatric emergency,” just after canceling his entire tour, Ballesteros realized he had gotten himself involved in something much more complex. “I thought, oh wow, this is far deeper than I imagined,” he remembers.

The process of creating this first-time filmmaker’s work also posed an awkward dilemma: Is it ethical to transform someone’s emotional fragility into art or to gain financially from another person’s mental health tribulations? Initially, Ballesteros admits that West was aware the project would be a documentary and frequently centered it around his mental well-being. Their initial bond stemmed from a mutual fascination with Freud and Jung, leading Ballesteros to view the film as both a psychological exploration and a historical account.

During our initial meeting with Pharrell, he shared that the documentary would focus on mental health, a detail he remembers vividly as it marked one of the earliest moments in his filming within the office. He was acutely conscious of this theme right from the start and knew that it was a significant aspect of the project he had agreed to undertake.

West made it clear that no topic was off-limits for the footage, as Ballesteros explains. “One time he went to the dentist for a checkup and I stayed in the car,” Ballesteros says. “His security came out to get me and I went in. He said, ‘Hey, why did you stop filming?’ I thought he wanted privacy, but he replied, ‘No, keep recording unless I tell you otherwise.’

At times, West would briefly discuss the movie in a concise manner, using examples such as “The Aviator” and “There Will Be Blood.” These films depict characters whose exceptional talents transform into fixation and insanity. This brief reference might suggest how West perceives his own narrative. Throughout this discussion, Ballesteros notes that West emphasized the importance of portraying multiple aspects of our personalities – the good and the bad.

In Whose Name?” doesn’t shy away from exploring the more troubling aspects. We see Ye making bold claims about his freedom after discontinuing his medication, but this leads him to rant about perceived conspiracies against him. He speaks of sleeping in a bulletproof vest, accuses associates of trying to undermine him, and lashes out with sudden bursts of anger and suspicion that leave those close to him, including then-wife Kardashian and her mother Kris Jenner, clearly distressed. Ye frequently uses the terminology of “mind control” and slavery, believing that doctors, corporations, and even people in his circle are manipulating his life for their own benefit.

In addition to calm instances, such as a contemplative trip to his childhood home in Chicago, the camera also captures numerous disagreements between him and Kardashian regarding his conduct. During one scene after his White House visit, she expresses her frustration by saying, “I’ve been crying all day – it’s just this endless nightmare.” She further adds, “I don’t burn bridges with companies. You’ll wake up someday to find you have nothing.” In response, he fiercely retorts, “Never say I will wake up one day and have nothing. Never speak such words into existence.” (Kardashian’s representatives did not respond to a request for comment.)

During quieter moments like his visit to his childhood home in Chicago, as well as heated arguments, the camera records him frequently clashing with Kardashian over his actions. After his White House visit, she shares her distress by saying, “It feels like I’ve been crying all day – it’s a never-ending nightmare.” She also warns him that he might one day find himself with nothing due to his actions. He defiantly responds, “Never say I will wake up one day and have nothing. Never speak such words.” (Kardashian’s representatives did not respond to a request for comment.)

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Deplorable: How Kanye West went from beloved generational rapper to far-right Hitler apologist

On Thursday, West made an unexpected appearance on Alex Jones’ show, alongside the controversial figure Nick Fuentes, marking a significant low point in his career that has seen him transition from being a celebrated hip-hop artist to a contentious far-right commentator. The question now is, what factors led to this shift in West’s public persona?

The movie follows Kanye West’s periods of artistic and spiritual innovation, such as his vision for an eco-friendly city in Wyoming and his gospel-inspired Sunday Service concerts that attracted thousands. However, it also documents the scandals that have threatened his career, including:

1. The controversial Paris fashion show where models wore “White Lives Matter” shirts.
2. The late-night tweet stating his intention to declare a “death con 3” on Jewish people.
3. Subsequent interviews filled with antisemitic remarks about the alleged manipulation of media and wealth by Jews.

He brags about being able to make antisemitic comments without consequence, implying Adidas couldn’t cut ties with him. However, that proved to be a false claim as Adidas later terminated their relationship, stripping him of his billionaire status and significantly damaging his cultural influence.

By autumn 2022, Ye’s empire faced severe disintegration: Adidas severed ties, other business partners followed suit, CAA ended their professional relationship with him, and his marriage came to an end. The consequences of this fallout are evident and persist, yet Ballesteros ensures that his film is distinct from West’s statements and actions. “I don’t endorse antisemitism or hate speech, clearly,” he states calmly but resolutely. “Our views differ… We’re both human beings. To me, that’s the crux of the matter. He’s an individual – a fellow human being.

Following his departure from Ye’s realm, Ballesteros found himself in possession of countless hours of video footage without a definite strategy for its usage. In 2023, he ventured to Costa Rica in an attempt to unwind and sort through this vast collection of media. Struggling to find funding, the novice filmmaker sought help from Simran A. Singh, a seasoned music lawyer who had transitioned into production, working on projects such as the upcoming Netflix documentary “Selena y Los Dinos,” which debuted at this year’s Sundance and utilized previously unseen footage from the late singer’s family archive.

At the outset, Singh initially felt apprehensive about getting involved. The release of “Jeen-yuhs,” a comprehensive three-part documentary on West’s career by Netflix in 2022, combined with Ye’s recent controversial public actions, made his reluctance even more pronounced. “To be honest, I was hesitant – another film about Ye?” Singh expresses. “Especially given his recent antisemitic comments. One of my business partners is Jewish, and I have many close friends who are Jewish, and I would never want anyone to perceive that I supported such views.

According to Singh, it was the raw and unfiltered nature of the material that shifted his perspective. He explained, “I hardly ever get such an unprocessed viewpoint from someone of his standing.” When he met Nico, he realized the potential. I truly believe Nico could be the next great director of his generation, Singh added.

Singh opted for independent distribution instead of working with several distributors and platforms due to concerns about potential backlash. As he stated, “In full disclosure, we’re self-distributing this under my own label.” He wanted to avoid corporate red tape and editing that might compromise the film’s authenticity. He analogized their situation as David versus Goliath, with him and his wife (who is also an executive producer) being confident about the film’s potential impact in communities and sparking discussions.

The movie’s name subtly hints at the profound queries Ballesteros wishes it sparks. With its suggestive religious themes, “In Whose Name?” alludes to the frequently debated aspects of faith related to West, yet expands upon a broader concept about authorship and responsibility. Essentially, he explains, it’s challenging us to consider: Who do we serve and for what purpose?

At the Chateau Marmont, Ballesteros casually settles at a corner table adorned in leather, sipping on an iced Americano, appearing youthful for his age and more introverted than usual for someone who had closely followed Ye’s activities for six years. The film’s release represents both an end and a new start for him. He is working on both documentary and narrative film projects, but he prefers to keep the specifics confidential.

He expresses his intention to continually improve the documentary film production process and push the boundaries of innovation. Simultaneously, he’s eager to expand into scripted projects, focusing on narratives that explore power dynamics and potentially weave in the concept of the American dream.

For six years, Ballesteros dwelled within a realm that he terms “Ye’s reality-bending sphere,” a place where the conventions of daily living – access, focus, prosperity, and ingenuity – deviated from standard norms. Returning to his own dimension was certain to be disconcerting.

He shares that a large portion of his life during those years, around 70% to 90%, was spent with someone. Being apart from him left him feeling off-balance. He describes a noticeable difference in how he felt when he was immersed in that world compared to being separated from it.

The discord still persists currently. When asked if he continues to admire Kanye West’s work, considering the chaos he has witnessed up close, Ballesteros ponders before selecting his words thoughtfully. “I’m contemplating that,” he says. “I’ve invested a lot in this project from a cultural perspective, from a thematic perspective, but I’m not as engrossed in his music. However, I believe he undeniably possesses great talent, and the term ‘genius’ could absolutely be used to describe some of his creative ventures. Without a shadow of a doubt.

He stresses that, even at Ye’s lowest points, he never felt personally consumed by the chaos.

He explained that he always experienced himself as an observer, recording events much like a journalist would. The boundary between them remained intact for him throughout. Yet, he cultivated a deep understanding and compassion for the person. Remarkably, this individual was consistently courteous towards him, almost serving as a creative mentor in a roundabout way.

Ballesteros views the project from a perspective similar to that of another influential cultural figure, known for shaping reality according to his whim.

In this rephrased sentence, I’ve tried to use simpler and more natural language while maintaining the original meaning.

As Steve Jobs put it, “It’s impossible to join the pieces together when looking ahead,” he explains. “Instead, you can only do so by looking back.

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2025-09-10 13:32