On Wednesday, three years after the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, the film ‘Rust’ was warmly received at its world premiere at the Camerimage Film Festival in Poland. Director Joel Souza spoke emotionally about celebrating his friend Hutchins’ art and talent. Notably absent was actor and producer Alec Baldwin, who faced legal scrutiny related to the incident.
The event also remembered Halyna Hutchins with a minute of silence, initiated by festival director Kazimierz Suwala. This gesture emphasized the lingering impact of her death on October 2021 during a rehearsal on the ‘Rust’ set. Bianca Cline, who replaced Hutchins as cinematographer, received significant applause for her work on completing the film.
The screening resonated deeply within the filmmaker community. Marek Zydowicz, founder of Camerimage, highlighted that this event was particularly meaningful for Hutchins’ friends within the industry. Rachel Mason, a documentary filmmaker and close friend of Hutchins, expressed hope that completing ‘Rust’ would be seen as a courageous act despite the controversies linked to it.
The film’s plot revolves around a 13-year-old boy, played by Patrick Scott McDermott and his grandfather Harland Rust, portrayed by Alec Baldwin. The storyline tracks their survival journey through 1880s Wyoming after a tragic accident.
Alec Baldwin’s absence was noted amid ongoing legal challenges. Although acquitted in July from involuntary manslaughter charges related to Hutchins’ death, he still faces civil lawsuits including one from Hutchins’ mother Olga Solovey. She has publicly criticized Baldwin for not taking responsibility for her daughter’s death.
‘Rust’ has faced mixed reactions online and among industry professionals due to its fraught history. There are concerns about whether it should have been completed or shown in festivals at all. Yet amidst these debates and Bobby Solovey’s outspoken disapproval of Baldwin profiting from her daughter’s tragedy, Matthew Hutchins and son Andros stand to benefit financially from film sales as part of a settlement agreement.
The production details shed a somber light but also depict an effort to honor Halyna’s memory through ongoing proceeds benefiting her family while exploring distribution avenues worldwide.
