Beneath another roiling cloud of controversy, Shia LaBeouf appeared on an otherwise serene French Riviera as a new documentary charting the rise and dramatic fall of his theatre collective launched in Cannes. 

The American actor made a rare public appearance at a Sunday afternoon pH๏τo-call with Lewis O’Neil, the first-time director responsible for Slauson Rec –  an often unflattering 145 minute account of the combustible LaBeouf’s attempt at mentoring a young theatrical group of the same name.  

Having attended previous functions looking rather more hirsute, the actor, 38, modelled a neatly groomed mustache outside the Palais des Festivals after trimming his thick facial hair. 

LaBeouf, who wore a smart black co-ord and classic white T-shirt for his latest appearance in France, appeared to be in a jovial mood as he chatted with O’Neill in front of those who had gathered en-mᴀsse for a glimpse of the star. 

He will be on the Croisette when Slauson Rec premieres at the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival on Sunday evening. 

Director O’Neil whittled down more than 800 hours of raw footage to little more than two after following LaBeouf and his attempts to fine tune his own theatre group in Los Angeles over an astonishing three year period. 

Shia LaBeouf appeared on the French Riviera as a new documentary charting the rise and dramatic fall of his theatre collective launched in Cannes on Sunday afternoon 

Slauson Rec (pictured) is an often unflattering 145 minute account of the combustible LaBeouf’s attempt at mentoring a young theatrical group of the same name 

Official Cannes press materials claim the new documentary “examines the fine line between mentorship and manipulation,” with LaBeouf often using questionable methods such as verbal abuse to “push participants to their limits.”

The actor is promoting the film under a cloud of sorts after Timothée Chalamet fans reacted badly to his comments about the actor in a recent interview.

LaBeouf was speaking to The Hollywood Reporter about his 2013 sacking from Broadway play Orphans – during which he was rumoured to have ʙuттed heads with co-star Alec Baldwin.

Reflecting on his extreme method acting – which saw him sleep in Central Park and join Baldwin’s acting classes, the controversial star said finding Catholicism had changed him.

He explained: ‘Me and Alec would never have these problems now. But I was in an island.

‘Then I hear Timothée Chalamet get up and he says something like, “I want to be great.” I so know the feeling. On him, it’s cute. On me, it wasn’t cute. You know what I’m saying?’

In February Chalamet expressed his wish to become an acting legend when he won the Best Actor SAG Award for A Complete Unknown.

He said: ‘I can’t downplay the significance of this award, because it means the most to me. I know we’re in a subjective business, but the truth is, I’m really in pursuit of greatness.’

The American actor made a rare public appearance at a Sunday afternoon pH๏τo-call with Lewis O’Neil, the first-time director responsible for Slauson Rec

Having attended previous functions looking rather more hirsute (left), the actor modelled a neatly groomed mustache outside the Palais des Festivals after trimming his thick facial hair (right)

LaBeouf appeared to be in a jovial mood as he chatted with O’Neill in front of those who had gathered en-mᴀsse for a glimpse of the star

Fans quickly took to social media to slam the actor and bring up abuse allegations levelled against him by ex girlfriend FKA Twigs in a 2020 lawsuit. He has denied the allegations.

LaBeouf has since responded by sharing a chummy text exchange with Chalamet, 28, from 2023, in which the younger actor appears to praise him for his work in a Broadway production of David Mamet play Henry Jones. 

Beginning his post with a quote from Rudyard Kipling‘s 1895 poem If, he wrote: ‘If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken, twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools.’

Hitting back at rumours of a rift with the star, he added: ‘Timothée Chalamet is doing better work than anyone alive – we been good.’

Official Cannes press materials claim new documentary Slauson Rec “examines the fine line between mentorship and manipulation”

LaBeouf is promoting the film under a cloud of sorts after Timothée Chalamet fans reacted badly to his comments about the actor in a recent interview

LaBeouf has since responded by sharing a chummy text exchange with Chalamet from 2023, in which the younger actor appears to praise him for his work in David Mamet play Henry Jones

In the purported email screensH๏τ, Chalamet wrote: ‘Absolutely blown away by your work the other night. Totally electric, totally present at every turn, king of your kingdom even if that kingdom is a miserable 4×4 prison cell.

‘What a fantastic play. I hope you guys take it to New York. And I hope this is the beginning of your work on stage and not an anomaly !! Timothée.’

LaBeouf responded: ‘Thank you doggy / Every blessing to you / Fun watching you evolve / Take ownership / Bang bang.’

DailyMail.com has contacted Chalamet’s representatives for further comment.

(L-R) Kevin Knight, Matt Zien, Leo Lewis O’Neil and Shia LaBeouf pose together during the ‘Slauson Rec pH๏τocall at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival