DRIVEN BY ANGLES is a strikingly immersive documentary that captures the adrenaline-fueled life of Vaughn Shafer, a 62-year-old stuntman and motorized skateboard daredevil, whose relentless pursuit of speed is matched only by his confrontation with loss, mortality, and the intangible forces that drive him. What begins as a high-octane story of a comeback and record-breaking ambition quickly evolves into a deeply human narrative about legacy, grief, and the connections that propel us forward.

 

Vaughn’s story is told with both intimacy and cinematic flair. The film’s directors, Brett Buescher and Nick Costello, alongside Hart Houston, craft a narrative that seamlessly interweaves present-day footage with archival material, creating a rhythm that mirrors the pulse of Shafer’s life on and off the board. Seth Becton’s cinematography captures the kinetic energy of the stunts with precision, while the editing, supported by an original and dynamic music score, ensures that every sequence — from the thrill of high-speed maneuvers to the quiet moments of reflection — resonates with emotional clarity.

 

Shafer emerges as more than a daredevil; he is a vessel for storytelling about courage, mentorship, and perseverance. Through his reflections on friends lost, the early death of his father, and the fragility of life, the documentary examines the invisible “angels” — both literal and metaphorical — who guide, support, and challenge us. His creed, “we ride for the ones we lost,” transforms the narrative from a tale of individual triumph into a meditation on communal resilience, intergenerational influence, and the human need to honor those who came before us.

 

The supporting cast, including Nick Costello, Brett Buescher, Hart Houston, and Louis Buescher, enriches the narrative, providing layers of context, mentorship, and camaraderie. Their interactions emphasize that this journey is not just about adrenaline or records, but about shared experience, healing, and the relentless pursuit of meaning, even in the face of age, injury, and grief.

 

With a modest budget of $30,000, DRIVEN BY ANGLES demonstrates an impressive mastery of storytelling and technical craft. The combination of Canon EOS C70 digital footage with archival DV material gives the documentary a raw, authentic texture that contrasts beautifully with moments of cinematic polish. The pacing balances high-intensity sequences with reflective pauses, allowing the audience to feel both the thrill of the stunts and the weight of the emotional stakes.

 

Awarded at nine international festivals, including Best True Story at the World Film Festival in Cannes, the film has earned recognition for its ability to marry spectacle with profound human insight. Its festival selection across 27 international events speaks to its universal resonance: a story of risk, courage, and the invisible forces — the angels — that lift us when we fall.

 

DRIVEN BY ANGLES is more than a documentary about stunts; it is a meditation on life, death, and the enduring spirit of those who refuse to let the fire of the past fade. For festival audiences and cinephiles drawn to authentic, adrenaline-driven storytelling, it offers both exhilaration and profound reflection — a rare combination of speed, emotion, and human resilience.

 

​​For all these reasons DRIVEN BY ANGLES won as Best First Time Director Documentary September 2025 Amsterdam New Cinema Film Festival Monthly Competition.