The Long Road to Rust: A Film's Journey Through Tragedy

Three years after the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Alec Baldwin's indie Western Rust, the film finally had its premiere at the Camerimage Film Festival in Poland. The event was a special moment for the film community, especially for working cinematographers and production professionals who packed the theater. Before the screening, a minute of silence was observed in honor of Hutchins, and the film's director Joel Souza and new cinematographer Bianca Cline were warmly greeted. The festival's director, Kazimierz Suwala, emphasized that showing the film was Halyna's dream. Prior to the screening, Hutchins' close friend, Rachel Mason, who's making a documentary about her life, gave an emotional introduction. She highlighted the challenges the team faced and praised them for completing the film to help support Hutchins' family. Souza kept his remarks brief, thanking the festival and his collaborators, especially his wife. He shared that Halyna loved Camerimage and that the screening was a celebration of her art. The premiere was highly anticipated, with the festival's ticketing system crashing due to high demand. However, the decision to screen the film wasn't without controversy. Some cinematographers criticized the move, seeing it as a promotional stunt. The festival insisted it was about honoring Halyna's wishes. Alec Baldwin wasn’t invited to avoid media spectacle. Halyna's mother, Olga Solovey, initially planned to attend but later refused, stating that Baldwin's involvement increased her pain. Despite the complex journey, the film tells the story of a boy who accidentally kills a rancher in 1880s Wyoming and goes on the run with his grandfather, played by Baldwin. The film's future remains uncertain, with both potential interest and concern from audiences due to its tragic history.