The Western Rust is set to have its world premiere on Wednesday at a Polish film festival, marking three years since a tragic on-set shooting that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
Hollywood star Alec Baldwin faced accusations of breaching basic gun safety protocols in the 2021 incident that claimed Hutchins' life, but his involuntary manslaughter trial was dismissed earlier this year due to withheld evidence.
Olga Solovey, the late cinematographer's mother, expressed her refusal to attend the festival for the film's promotion, stating, "Especially now when there is still no justice for my daughter." She added, "Baldwin continues to exacerbate my pain with his refusal to apologize to me and his refusal to take responsibility for her death."
Director Joel Souza, who was injured in the shooting, will introduce the movie at the Camerimage film festival in Torun, Poland, known for its celebration of cinematography. The festival aims to honor Hutchins' memory and highlight her legacy.
Bianca Cline, who took over as cinematographer, will also be in attendance, while Alec Baldwin will not be present. The Emmy-winning actor was holding a revolver during a rehearsal in New Mexico when a live round was discharged, fatally wounding Hutchins.
The film's armourer, Hannah Gutierrez, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter for inadvertently loading Baldwin's prop gun with a live round. Baldwin's trial collapsed in July when it was revealed that prosecutors had not disclosed a batch of bullets found during the investigation.
Filming was halted by the fatal incident but resumed and completed last year in Montana. Hutchins, originally from Ukraine, had a unique upbringing on a Soviet military base in the Arctic Circle. She later made significant strides in Hollywood cinematography, earning recognition as one of the industry's rising stars.
While the tragedy sparked calls for banning firearms on sets, Hollywood has opted for less radical measures, revising industry guidelines on firearm use for the first time in 20 years.
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