Shia LaBeouf has shared his thoughts about a new documentary that captures his time running an experimental theater group at LA’s Slauson Recreation Centre between 2018 and 2020.
The documentary Slauson Rec, which premiered at Cannes Film Festival on Sunday (May 18, 2025), comes from first-time director Leo Lewis O’Neil, who served as the official documentarian for LaBeouf’s free acting school, where the controversial Transformers actor worked to train performers.
O’Neil made it his mission to document everything at LaBeouf’s unconventional program, including scenes where the actor had verbal outbursts and physical confrontations with students in his pursuit of excellence. The school shut down in November 2020 during the COVID pandemic.
While the documentary shows LaBeouf, 38, in an unfavorable light, he had agreed to have everything filmed at the time. Though he may not enjoy watching himself on screen, he stands behind the film.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, LaBeouf said:
“Yes, I look like a fucking asshole. Yes, my boy [O’Neil] got into Cannes. I can be both disgusted with myself and happy as f for my guy. I can be both things.”
“Am I fed up? Yes. Is my process ugly and disgusting? Yes,” he added. “Have I done horrible s in the past that I’m going to have to make amends for the rest of my life? Yes. Does this movie change any of that? No. Does it also allow my people to get a foot into this fucking industry? Yes. So gas pedal down, green light go.”
According to Variety, LaBeouf watched the film for the first time at Cannes on Sunday alongside other festival attendees. At the screening, he commented:
“I’ve done a lot of coming to terms with the failure that was my life, and the plastic foundation I had. I left a lot of people in the wake of my personality defects.”
A month after closing the school, LaBeouf faced a lawsuit from singer FKA twigs, who alleged “relentless abuse” including sexual battery, assault, and emotional distress during their relationship. LaBeouf has denied “each and every allegation” of abuse by FKA twigs.
The trial has been delayed multiple times due to scheduling conflicts for both LaBeouf and FKA twigs. A new trial date is reportedly set for September 2025.
HOT DEALS
- Save $10 on the Stanley 40 oz. Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler [Dick’s Sporting Goods]
- Save 21% on the Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender [Amazon]
- Save $189 on the DYU 14″ Folding Electric Bike! [Walmart]
- Now 20% off! Paula’s Choice SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid [Amazon]
- Save $120 on an unlocked Galaxy S25 Edge [Samsung]
- Save 50% on the Bedsure Lightweight Two-Side Cooling Comforter [Target]
- Save 25% on the Cole Haan Men’s Grand Remix Oxford Dress Shoe! [Macy’s ]
- Save $100 on the TCL Class S5-Series 4K UHD HDR LED Smart Google TV [Target]
Like most websites, Socialite Life uses affiliate links where available, which means we earn a little commission if you click through and buy something. Also, as Amazon Influencers, we earn from qualifying purchases. Savings shown are those from the date and time of this article’s publication.