The Western Rust premieres in Poland as a Tribute to Halyna Hutchins
TORUN, Poland — The long-awaited premiere of the western film Rust has finally arrived in Poland, three years after the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on set in New Mexico.
Organizers of Poland’s Camerimage International Film Festival have dedicated the screening to the memory of the talented 42-year-old Ukrainian-born cinematographer, who was a devoted fan of the event and had attended in the past.
Notably absent from the premiere was the movie’s star, Alec Baldwin, who was not invited and did not attend.
Writer and director Joel Souza, who was injured in the shooting, shared with the BBC at the premiere how he initially struggled with the idea of returning to set after the tragic incident, stating that the pain was too much to bear.
However, after a conversation with Hutchins’ husband, Matt, Souza made the decision to complete the film in her honor.
Despite the heartfelt intentions behind the premiere, some prominent cinematographers in Hollywood have criticized the decision to showcase the movie at the festival, viewing it as disrespectful to Hutchins’ memory.
Hutchins’ mother, Olga Solovey, who is currently pursuing legal action against the production and Alec Baldwin, opted not to attend the premiere, stating through her lawyer that she sees it as an exploitation of her daughter’s tragic death.
In October 2021, a fatal accident occurred on set when Baldwin, rehearsing a scene with a firearm loaded with what was supposed to be dummy rounds, accidentally fired a live round, resulting in Hutchins’ death and Souza’s injury.
The mystery of how a live bullet ended up in the gun remains unsolved.
While Baldwin was cleared of involuntary manslaughter charges, the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was found guilty and is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence.
Set against the backdrop of Wyoming in 1882, Rust follows the story of a 13-year-old boy facing a death sentence after a tragic accident, who goes on the run with his grandfather, played by Baldwin.
Despite initial hesitations, Souza completed the film with Bianca Cline taking over as cinematographer in honor of Hutchins, a decision that has sparked mixed reactions within the industry.
Before the screening, close friend Rachel Mason shared the challenges of finishing the movie amidst controversy, revealing that some crew members feared being associated with the project due to the negative attention it received.
Despite the obstacles, the film was completed as a tribute to Hutchins’ passion and dedication to her craft.
Rust captures the essence of classic westerns, paying homage to iconic films like ‘The Searchers’ and ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’.
Following the premiere, viewers expressed a range of emotions, with many praising the film’s homage to the western genre while acknowledging the difficulties surrounding its production.
In a statement, Rust Movie Productions defended the decision to showcase the film at the festival, emphasizing that the focus was on honoring Hutchins’ legacy rather than financial gain.
The premiere of Rust in Poland serves as a bittersweet reminder of a talented cinematographer’s untimely passing, while also celebrating her contributions to the world of cinema.
