The controversial “Rust,” directed by Joel Souza, is set to have its world premiere at the Cameraimage Film Festival in Poland. This isn’t some low rent film fest either, Cameraimage tends to have some pretty big names show up for screenings.
Of course, Alec Baldwin will likely not be in attendance. He probably wants nothing to do with this film which derailed his life and career after accidentally shooting and killing his own cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins.
Part of the decision to premiere “Rust” at Cameraimage comes with Hutchins’ original wishes, according to Souza, early during the film’s production, to screen the project in Poland at Camerimage — a festival that honors international cinematographers.
They could have just scrapped the movie altogether, but now that this low-budget indie has gained notoriety, for all the wrong reasons, there will be curiosity seekers out there who will want to watch the finished product. Baldwin is still attached as producer.
Hutchins was replaced by another DP, Bianca Cline, for whatever was left to be shot on the New Mexico set. All of this as Hutchins’ family were pursuing Baldwin in court for the death of their daughter. What a total and utter sh*tshow.
Baldwin fired the shot that killed Hutchins while preparing to film a scene in a church building near Santa Fe, N.M. The armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, loaded the weapon. She’s in prison. If anything, Gutierrez-Reed is more to be blamed than Baldwin, but I’m inclined to agree with Quentin Tarantino that Baldwin was partly responsible (10% responsible”).
Correct me if I’m wrong, but the most important question about this tragedy has still yet to be answered: why were there live rounds on the set? Who was the genius that decided to load the gun with the bullet that discharged from the prop gun. The bullet went straight through the body of Hutchins and into the clavicle of the film’s director Joel Souza. The set was immediately locked down. Ambulance and helicopters arrived. Hutchins died en route in an helicopter.
Of course, basic gun safety dictates you assume all guns are real, and loaded with live ammo, and therefore lethally dangerous. Baldwin, as producer and gun handler, didn’t follow these protocols.