SANTA FE, N.M. – The aftermath of the tragic on-set fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins during the production of the film Rust has led to various developments, including legal proceedings and a forthcoming premiere in Poland. The Western movie, which stars Alec Baldwin as the lead actor and producer, will make its world debut at Poland’s Camerimage International Film Festival in late November.
Following the incident in October 2021, where Hutchins was killed and director Joel Souza was injured when Baldwin discharged what was meant to be an unloaded prop gun, the movie faced delays and changes. The film’s screening at the festival is planned to honor Hutchins’ memory, with a panel discussion that includes Souza, cinematographer Bianca Cline, and Stephen Lighthill, Hutchins’ mentor at the film school AFI.
Cline, who took over Hutchins’ work on the film, is expected to share insights at the festival panel on how she sought to maintain Hutchins’ unique style throughout the production process. The movie, which finished filming in Montana last year, will omit the scene of the shooting and certain events leading up to it, as confirmed by Souza in a Vanity Fair interview.
Through the screening and discussions at the festival, organizers intend to highlight Hutchins’ story and spark conversations about the role of women in cinematography and the importance of safety on film sets. The tragic incident prompted legal action, resulting in the conviction of movie armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed on charges of involuntary manslaughter. In contrast, an involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin was dismissed due to withheld evidence.
Furthermore, in a step towards closure and remembrance, Hutchins’ widower reached a settlement with Baldwin and other Rust producers, with Hutchins posthumously named an executive producer on the film. The preparations for the movie’s premiere in Poland and the continued discussions surrounding the incident aim to honor Hutchins’ legacy and promote safety measures within the film industry.