Shia LaBeouf Documentary Premieres Cannes Exposing Abuse, Chaos

The documentary "Slauson Rec," directed by Leo Lewis O’Neil and premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, offers an unvarnished look at the tumultuous acting school run by Shia LaBeouf from 2018 to 2020 in Los Angeles. The film, compiled from over 800 hours of footage, captures LaBeouf's intense and often abusive behavior toward his students, including verbal outbursts, physical altercations, and emotionally damaging incidents such as firing a student after her mother's funeral. Despite the disturbing portrayal, LaBeouf consented to and supported the documentary, acknowledging his flaws and the damage caused by his personality while also expressing pride in the creative achievements of his students. Reviews note the school felt like a cult-like environment where students remained devoted despite the chaos, and the film has elicited strong reactions, with some audience members leaving during screenings due to its harrowing content. LaBeouf appeared at the Cannes screening, reflecting on his personal failures and the complex legacy of the school. The documentary coincides with ongoing legal issues surrounding LaBeouf, including a lawsuit by FKA twigs alleging abuse, which he denies.