The organizers of Poland’s Camerimage International Film Festival stated that the screening served as a tribute to the 42-year-old Ukrainian-born cinematographer, who had been a supporter of the festival and had attended in previous years.
Alec Baldwin, the film's lead actor, was neither invited nor present at the premiere.
Joel Souza, the writer and director who sustained injuries during the incident, shared with the BBC at the premiere that he initially "couldn’t even conceive of ever being back on the set ever again, it just hurt too much." However, he later reconsidered and chose to finish the film after discussions with Hutchins' husband, Matt.
The decision to showcase the film at Camerimage in the northern Polish city of Torun has faced criticism from several notable cinematographers in Hollywood, who view it as disrespectful to Hutchins' legacy.
Olga Solovey, Hutchins’ mother, who is pursuing a civil lawsuit against the production and Baldwin, also did not attend the event. In a statement from her attorney, she expressed her view that the premiere represents an effort to profit from her daughter's death.
“Alec Baldwin continues to increase my pain with his refusal to apologize to me and his refusal to take responsibility for her death,” she stated.
In October 2021, Baldwin was rehearsing a scene with a firearm that was believed to contain only dummy rounds when it discharged a live round, resulting in Hutchins' death and Souza's injury.
The circumstances surrounding how a live bullet ended up in the gun remain unclear.
In July, a judge dismissed an involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin after it was revealed that police and prosecutors had withheld evidence from the defense.
In March, the film's armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence, although she has appealed the ruling.
Set in 1882 Wyoming, Rust narrates the tale of a 13-year-old boy who faces execution by hanging after unintentionally killing a rancher. He flees alongside his grandfather, Baldwin’s Harlan Rust.
Souza, who attended the film's premiere with Bianca Cline, the cinematographer who took over for Hutchins, initially declined multiple requests to finish the film following the tragic incident. However, Hutchins' husband, Matt, persuaded him to see it through, dedicating the film to her memory.
"I was uncertain about proceeding at first, but learning that this was Matt's wish and what the family desired shifted my perspective," he shared with the BBC.
"It became more about honoring her legacy and ensuring that her final work was completed, which influenced my decision," he added.
Both Souza and Cline recognized that many within the industry were uneasy with his choice.
“Everyone is upset, and we share that anger. It’s a tragic situation that’s difficult to navigate. Some believe it’s better to step back, while others, like us, see it as an honorable act. I don’t think there’s a definitive right or wrong in this matter,” Cline remarked to the BBC.
Prior to the screening, Rachel Mason, a close friend of Hutchins who documented the making of Rust, reflected on the challenges of completing the film amid the surrounding controversy.
She mentioned that some crew members requested not to be filmed on the closed set, fearing that their involvement with Rust could jeopardize their future job prospects.
The crew ultimately returned to finish the project, realizing it could benefit Hutchins' family.
"She had an incredible ability to quickly forge friendships, and everyone grew fond of her," Mason noted.
Ms. Mason also recalled a conversation with Hutchins' mother 18 months prior, during which she expressed her desire for the film to be completed as it represented her daughter’s "significant work."
Rust portrays the pursuit of a grandfather and grandson set against a landscape of snow-covered mountains and dusty towns filled with tumbleweeds.
The film pays homage to classic westerns, drawing inspiration from John Ford’s ‘The Searchers’ and Sergio Leone’s ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.’
Souza shared a close bond with his grandfather, who had a deep appreciation for western films.
After the screening, several attendees expressed their enjoyment of the film, with Jan, a film colorist from Warsaw, describing it as "a classic western."
Leonora, a cinematographer from Belarus, praised the film as brilliant, mentioning that she was moved to tears during Ms. Mason’s speech.
One audience member pointed out that the numerous gunfight scenes featuring Alec Baldwin could be somewhat distracting.
"Throughout the gunfight scenes, it was challenging not to be pulled out of the experience, especially when Alec Baldwin was holding a gun, but overall, it was a truly enjoyable film," Maciej from Torun remarked.
In response to some criticism, Melina Spadone, a representative for Rust Movie Productions, defended the festival.
"The Camerimage festival is dedicated to celebrating the artistry of cinematographers; it is not intended for buyers.
"None of the producers of Rust will gain financially from the film. The implication that those involved in completing Halyna Hutchins’ film were driven by profit is disrespectful to those who worked diligently to honor her legacy."