Nearly three years following the tragic on-set shooting that claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, the film "Rust" is set to make its world premiere.
The film will be showcased at the EnergaCamerimage film festival in Poland, an international event that celebrates the art of cinematography. According to Mediaite, the festival is scheduled to take place from November 16 to 23, although the exact premiere date for "Rust" remains unspecified.
The EnergaCamerimage announcement did not mention actor Alec Baldwin, who was handling the prop gun that discharged the fatal shot, killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. The statement read, "During this years edition of the EnergaCAMERIMAGE Festival, a special World Premiere screening of the film will take place, followed by a unique panel discussion with the films director Joel Souza, cinematographer Bianca Cline, and Stephen Lighthill, Halynas mentor from her beloved film school, AFI."
The panel discussion, scheduled to follow the film's screening, will delve into the circumstances surrounding the film and the challenges faced in continuing production after Hutchins' untimely death. The filmmakers were committed to preserving Hutchins' artistic vision, a task they found incredibly challenging but crucial in honoring her work. The panel will also explore the unique visual style that Hutchins developed on set and how Bianca Cline, her successor, managed to remarkably replicate it, ensuring consistency in the film's cinematography.
Festival director Marek Zydowicz expressed his sentiments in a statement, saying, "We knew that our event was important to [Hutchins], and that she felt at home among cinematographers from all over the world, who have been gathering at Camerimage for over 30 years. During the [2021] festival, we honored Halynas memory with a moment of silence and a panel of cinematographers discussed safety on set. Now, once again, together with cinematographers and film enthusiasts, we will have this special opportunity to remember her."
Baldwin, who was both an actor and a producer on "Rust," was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter. However, the charges were dismissed by a Sante Fe judge in July due to suppression of evidence by the prosecution. Baldwin pleaded not guilty and maintained that he was unaware the gun contained a live round and that the shooting was accidental.
Hannah Gutierriez Reed, the armorer responsible for real and prop firearms on the set of "Rust," was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in April and sentenced to 18 months in prison. Following the dismissal of Baldwin's charges, her legal team requested a new trial for their client. As the film "Rust" prepares for its world premiere, the memory of Halyna Hutchins and the circumstances surrounding her death continue to cast a long shadow over the production.
Login