The highly anticipated western film *Rust* has made its debut at Poland’s Camerimage International Film Festival, three years after the tragic incident on set that claimed the life of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. The premiere serves as a poignant tribute to Hutchins, whose passion for the festival was well-known—she had attended in previous years.

Alec Baldwin, the film’s star, was notably absent from the event, having not received an invitation. Baldwin was involved in a 2021 incident during a rehearsal for *Rust*, where he discharged a firearm that was believed to be loaded with dummy rounds, tragically killing Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza.

Souza, who attended the screening alongside Bianca Cline, the cinematographer who replaced Hutchins, expressed the emotional difficulty he faced when deciding to complete the film. Initially contemplating step away from the project following the accident, he revealed that a conversation with Hutchins' husband, Matt, prompted him to honor her memory and the film, which he has dedicated to Hutchins.

"The support from Matt and the family changed the equation for me," Souza shared, acknowledging the delicate balance between honoring Hutchins and addressing the surrounding controversy that has engulfed the project.

Reactions to the film's screening were mixed within the industry. Many prominent figures voiced their disapproval, asserting that the filmmakers risked trivializing Hutchins' passing for profit. Hutchins's mother, Olga Solovey, is currently suing the production and Baldwin, and she condemned the premiere as an exploitation of her daughter’s tragic death. "Alec Baldwin continues to increase my pain with his refusal to apologize and take responsibility," she stated through her lawyer.

The film’s setting, capturing the essence of the Wild West in 1882 Wyoming, follows a 13-year-old boy who accidentally kills a rancher and must flee with his grandfather, portrayed by Baldwin. Several crew members initially hesitated to return to the set, fearing the stigma of having worked on *Rust* could jeopardize their future careers. However, they ultimately realized that completing the film could serve as a meaningful gesture for Hutchins' family.

Before the screening commenced, close friend Rachel Mason shared her experience documenting the film's production. She reflected on Hutchins' remarkable ability to connect with others quickly, a trait that endeared her to the crew. Mason recounted a conversation with Hutchins' mother, who had expressed a desire for the film to be completed, viewing it as her daughter’s significant work.

*Rust* is said to pay homage to iconic westerns, from John Ford's *The Searchers* to Sergio Leone’s *The Good, the Bad and the Ugly*, creating a visual landscape rich in nostalgia while confronting deep emotional themes.

Audience reactions post-screening varied, with some praising the film as a classic western. Jan, a film colorist from Warsaw, described it as "a classic," while Leonora, a cinematographer from Belarus, found herself emotionally moved throughout the event.

This premiere, wrapped in both tribute and controversy, marks a significant moment in the ongoing reflection on safety in the filming industry, shining a light on the necessity for accountability and remembrance in the face of tragedy. As the saga of *Rust* continues, it highlights the essential conversation of responsibility toward those we work with in the creative fields.