Alec Baldwin’s Rust To Premiere At Camerimage; Cinematography Community Criticize ‘Distasteful’ Decision Amid Controversy

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As a dedicated follower and a fellow cinematographer who has faced my fair share of near-misses on set, I find myself deeply torn by the decision to premiere Rust at the Camerimage Film Festival 2024. On one hand, it is a profound honor for any filmmaker to have their work recognized at such a prestigious event, and it is heartening to see Halyna Hutchins’ lifelong dream come true. However, as a member of this tight-knit community of working DoPs, I cannot help but feel a sense of unease and discomfort.

In the upcoming Western movie Rust, starring Alec Baldwin, a tragic accident occurred on set when Baldwin unintentionally discharged a firearm, leading to the fatal wounding of director Joel Souza and the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Despite the controversy surrounding this incident, filming resumed in 2023, with Souza returning to take charge as the movie’s director once again.

2024’s esteemed Camerimage Film Festival in Poland has granted Rust a prime screening slot. This festival, renowned for its cinematography appreciation, will pay tribute to the late Ukrainian cinematographer Halyna Hutchins by hosting a special debut screening. Nevertheless, the film’s cinematography team and Hutchins’ fellow professionals have shown their disapproval with this choice.

In response to the Instagram post announcing the Oscar nomination of Black Panther’s cinematographer, Rachel Morrison – who was also nominated – expressed her feelings. She stated, “I support remembering Halyna and her stunning work; however, I don’t think it’s appropriate to screen and thereby promote the film that led to her death.

Film Director of Photography Suzie Lavelle, known for her work on shows like Normal People and His Dark Materials, voiced her disapproval about the controversial movie’s premiere. In a statement, she urged reconsideration, saying, “It’s inappropriate to promote a film made with unsafe practices, which unfortunately resulted in the loss of its cinematographer’s life.” This viewpoint echoes strongly within the close-knit community of professional Directors of Photography.

In a frequently used WhatsApp group among regular attendees of Camerimage Festival and working Directors of Photography, there has been strong criticism voiced towards the festival’s premiere decision. They have described it as “insensitive” and “inappropriate.” One member suggested that instead of screening the controversial film, they should focus on showcasing her earlier work as part of the tribute.

Another protested against premiering the film at an honorable stage, which was unfair and triggering. “All I will see is the giant image of the man who pulled the trigger and took her life and the gross negligence that led to that moment,” the user wrote. 

Nevertheless, some people justified the choice by stating that Stephen Lighthill, Hutchins’ previous mentor and ASC president, would also be present during the session. It seems that her family arranged this debut to fulfill the late cinematographer’s long-held aspiration of having Hutchins’ work showcased at Camerimage.

The movie revolves around a 13-year-old boy and his brother, who are left to survive on their own following their parents’ demise. After being convicted for an unintentional murder of a local rancher, he embarks on a journey with his previously distant grandfather. This is according to the official summary.

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2024-10-07 18:23