Yahoo Lifestyle Shia LaBeouf Shares Full “Support” For Doc About Violent Behavior At His Theater Company
Nearly five years after his theater collective disbanded, one of Shia LaBeouf‘s former protégés is shedding light on his volatile teaching methods.
As Slauson Rec director Leo Lewis O’Neil prepares to debut his documentary about the free theater school the actor established at the titular recreational center in Los Angeles in 2018, LaBeouf has given the film his blessing.
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“I gave Leo this camera and encouraged him to share his vision and his personal experience without edit,” he said in a statement to Vanity Fair. “I am aware of the doc 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.”
Depicting a time in the actor’s life after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and just before his ex FKA Twigs sued him for sexual battery, assault and infliction of emotional distress—he has denied the allegations, which are scheduled for trial in September—Slauson Rec reportedly features footage of LaBeouf having dark outbursts and initiating physical violence.
When asked if he would call LaBeouf’s behavior toward the group “abusive,” O’Neil explained, “I don’t disagree with that word. I don’t want to deny the fact that it was, but I think because that word is such a trigger word—people pop on that word so fast. But yeah, it was fucked-up. Hurt people hurt people, it’s very true—and he’s a very hurt person.”
O’Neil noted that he will first screen the doc for the alleged victims of LaBeouf’s abuse at Slauson Rec, who are already aware of the project, which comes from executive producer Kevin Knight and producer Matt Zien.
After sending LaBeouf a rough cut of the trailer and getting his blessing, O’Neil even had the Disney Channel alum agree to do an interview for the documentary.
“He’s basically just being like, You do what you need to do,” the director explained. “It shows a lot that he is willing to have this be out in the world and not try to stop it. He had every reason and possibility to stop it…. He’s one of the most vulnerable artists I’ve ever seen.”
O’Neil added, “Something that is really lacking in today’s world is coming to a piece of media, or something that is so personal, with a level of sincerity. There is a real epidemic of irony in the world. I get fearful that this will not be met with that same level of care or thoughtfulness. It’s just a scary thing to publish.”
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