Rust Premieres at Polish Film Festival: Three Years Post-Shooting – A Cinematic Comeback

Film “Rust” Premieres in Poland

The film “Rust” premiered recently in Torun, Poland, three years after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was tragically shot and killed on set in New Mexico. The event honored Hutchins, a Ukrainian-born cinematographer who had previously attended the Camerimage International Film Festival.

Alec Baldwin, the film’s star, was not invited to the premiere. Joel Souza, the writer and director who was injured in the incident, expressed his initial reluctance to return to filming but changed his mind after speaking with Hutchins’ husband, Matt.

The announcement of the film’s debut has faced criticism from Hollywood cinematographers, who consider it disrespectful to Hutchins’ memory. Hutchins’ mother, Olga Solovey, who is suing the production and Baldwin, also did not attend the premiere. She believes the screening profits from her daughter’s death and accused Baldwin of failing to take responsibility.

In October 2021, while rehearsing a scene, Baldwin accidentally fired a live round from a gun he believed had dummy rounds, killing Hutchins and wounding Souza. The circumstances of how the live bullet got into the weapon remain unknown.

In July, a judge dismissed a manslaughter case against Baldwin due to withheld evidence. In March, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the film’s armourer, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and is currently appealing her sentence.

“Rust,” set in 1882 Wyoming, narrates the story of a 13-year-old boy sentenced to hang after accidentally killing a rancher. He and his grandfather, played by Baldwin, go on the run.

Souza completed the film to honor Hutchins’ legacy, as her memory influenced many in the industry. Cinematographer Bianca Cline, who took over after Hutchins’ death, spoke about the challenges faced during production.

Rachel Mason, a friend of Hutchins, highlighted the difficulties of completing the movie amid controversy, noting that some crew members feared the impact on their careers. Ultimately, many returned to honor Hutchins’ family.

Viewer reactions to the film varied. Some enjoyed it, while others found it hard not to think about Baldwin during gunfight scenes. A spokesperson for Rust Movie Productions defended the festival against criticism, stating the event celebrates cinematographers’ artistry and that no one involved stands to gain financially from the film.