Leo Lewis O’Neil’s documentary Slauson Rec was a late addition to the Cannes Fest lineup, but it’s certainly one of the buzziest titles after premiere in the Cannes Classics section.

The film had been teased for weeks as rollercoaster ride through  the experimental theater company run by the famous (and infamous) actor.

LaBeouf turned up to the screening, his first time seeing the film. He spoke with festival director Thierry Frémaux, “I’m so grateful O’Neil still lets me around him and bring him ideas.”

In the opening moments of the movie, LaBeouf sits for a present-day interview. “I’ve done a lot of coming to terms with the failure that was my life, and the plastic foundation I had,” LaBeouf says. “I left a lot of people in the wake of my personality defects.”

Company member Sarah, a fan of the actor’s since he starred in Disney Channel original “Even Stevens,” lands lead role in a drive-in play from LaBeouf’s company during the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. As her mother is dying in the hospital from some undisclosed infection, she chooses to remain in rehearsals for the chance to work with her mentor. After her mother passes and the play is two weeks from opening, LaBeouf fires her, saying the show simply works better without her.

Director O’Neil revealed to Vanity Fair prior to Cannes Fest that his involvement in the documentary started when he showed up to attend LaBeouf’s acting class with a camera in hand.

LaBeouf asked him if he would film everything that took place at Slauson. O’Neil filmed over the next few years until the acting school was disbanded in November 2020 amid the COVID pandemic.

LaBeouf was sued by singer FKA Twigs for sexual battery, assault and emotional distress a month after the school was disbanded.

O’Neil told Vanity Fair that he sent LaBeouf a trailer for the project seeking his sign-off on it. LaBeouf allegedly gave his full blessing for the movie to be made without any editorializing on his behalf; thus, scenes of alleged physical violence remain in the final cut.

LaBeouf told Vanity Fair: “I gave Leo this camera and encouraged him to share his vision and his personal experience without edit. I am aware of the docu and fully support the release of the film. While my teaching methods may be unconventional for some, I am proud of the incredible accomplishments that these kids achieved. Together we turned a drama class into an acting company. I wish only good things for Leo and everyone who was part of The Slauson Rec Company.”