Alec Baldwin’s troubled movie Rust, which faced a tragic incident on set resulting in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, has finally received a premiere date after three years. The incident occurred in October 2021, near Santa Fe, when a gun Baldwin was holding discharged, killing Hutchins and injuring writer-director Joel Souza. Baldwin claimed he was unaware the gun contained live rounds and denied pulling the trigger. An involuntary manslaughter case against him was dismissed due to police and prosecutor misconduct, but the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, is serving an 18-month sentence for involuntary manslaughter. A jury acquitted her of evidence tampering but found her guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
The world premiere of Rust is scheduled for Poland’s Camerimage Festival in November, where the late cinematographer Halyna Hutchins will be honored and remembered. The festival aims to showcase Hutchins’ work on the unfinished film, with the new director of photography, Bianca Cline, praising her contribution and legacy. Hutchins’ mother and sister have supported the completion of the film as they believed it was important to honor Halyna’s vision. The screening will be followed by a discussion on the film’s visual style and the importance of safety on set, especially after the tragic incident that led to Hutchins’ death.
Director of photography Bianca Cline will join director Joel Souza and Hutchins’ mentor, Stephen Lighthill, at the festival to discuss how they managed to maintain Hutchins’ visual style and the challenges they faced in completing the film. The focus will also be on the safety protocols implemented on set to prevent similar accidents in the future. Production on Rust halted after the tragic incident and only resumed in April 2023 with increased safety measures in place, including no use of working weapons or ammunition. The filming location was also changed from New Mexico to Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana to ensure a safer environment for the cast and crew.
Despite the challenges and controversies surrounding Rust, including the legal proceedings and criticisms regarding safety protocols, the film has managed to overcome these hurdles and is ready for its world premiere. The completion of Rust serves as a tribute to the late Halyna Hutchins and her dedication to her craft as a cinematographer. The film’s screening at the Camerimage Festival will not only honor Hutchins’ memory but also shed light on the importance of safety on film sets and the need for stricter regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future. It is a reminder of the risks involved in filmmaking and the responsibility of the industry to prioritize the well-being of all those involved in the production process.
