'Rust' in the cinemas four years after the death of the cameraman – DW – 05/02/2025

Tragic news from Hollywood shocked the world in 2021: actor Alec Baldwin accidentally shot the cameraman Halyna Hutchins on the set of his new film “Rust” when a prop -weapon released a live round. A legal and mediaer followed madness when people were tired to understand how something like that could have happened.

“Rust” is a western drama that tells the story of a notorious lawless about Baldwin who tries to help his grandson flee from prison after being sentenced to death for murder.

The film was well received during its premiere at the Camerimage Film Festival in Poland in November 2024, but its release date in the USA was still uncertain when the film found a buyer due to the tragic background story. The premiere triggered controversy, with some said that it was insensitive to considering the death of Hutchins.

Her mother distanced herself from the start and said that justice for the death of her daughter was still nowhere to be found, while others regarded it as a tribute to Hutchins who had often visited the festival.

Finally, “Rust” was recorded by falling films and will be released on May 2 in the USA and video-on-demand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q95b6ys5H_8

Overshadow by the tragedy

In March, Hulu released the documentary “Last Take: Rust and the story of Halyna”. Instead of concentrating on the case, the documentary describes the life and career of Hutchins born in Ukraine, as well as the emotional tribute that her death had drawn on her widower Matt and her young son.

The incident occurred on October 21, 2021 when Baldwin in New Mexico with a prop -weapon on the set of “Rust”. The actor didn't know that the weapon was filled with living ammunition. When it was released, it killed the cameraman and the injured director Joel Souza.

In an interview with ABC News 2021, Baldwin said he said that the weapon was empty and he did not pull the trigger, but the hammer.

Baldwin was initially charged with involuntary homicide, but the indictment was fallen due to “legal technical goods”. The film's tank, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was convinced and sentenced to a maximum of 18 months in prison. The incident led to the requirements of stricter security for firearms in film sets.

In the Hulu documentary published in March, concerns are also emphasized that are triggered by some work on the series of firearms, which are accidentally released from Hutchins before the tragic death.

The US publication finally happens

For months, the film dealer had had problems finding buyers due to the tragic background story. In the meantime, the film has remained in the headlines due to the ongoing right -wing struggles.

After the indictment against Baldwin had been dropped, the actor filed a lawsuit against prosecutors in New Mexico for malicious law enforcement and civil rights violations. Among other things, Baldwin had made the claim that prosecutors and investigators had deliberately abused evidence when they pursued the case.

Ultimately, the widower Matt Hutchins reached a settlement with the producers of the film and became an executive producer of the film. He has financial participation in the income of the film in the USA and will benefit from the upcoming publication. The film is also dedicated to Halyna Hutchins.

Published by: Elizabeth Grenier