‘Rust’ director “understands” why people might find it unsettling to watch Alec Baldwin Western after fatal set shooting

nme.com:

Rust Director Joel Souza has said he “understands” if viewers find it unsettling to watch the Alec Baldwin-led Western, following the fatal on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.In October 2021, a prop gun held by Baldwin fired a live bullet that killed Hutchins and seriously injured Souza.

Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter before a judge dismissed the case on July 12.Three years after the incident, Rust was finally unveiled to the public on Wednesday (November 20).

The film received a warm reception from a supportive crowd at Poland’s Camerimage Film Festival.In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Souza opened up about returning to the set a year and a half after the accident to complete the project.

He also touched on how audiences might find it difficult to see the characters wielding guns.“I understand. It’s an interesting question,” he said. “You know, it’s a Western and it’s reflective of life in the old West and what we’ve come to expect of Westerns.