Joel Souza, the director of “Rust,” has shared his first detailed account of the October 2021 shooting incident on set, which resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and his own severe injury. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Souza recounted the traumatic event and the emotional repercussion of being struck by a live bullet from a prop gun held by Alec Baldwin.
Describing the impact, Souza reflected, “Being shot is a surreal experience, especially when you realize who was holding the gun.” He recounted the sensation as akin to being struck by a horse or bat, describing how the right side of his body went numb while still experiencing intense pain. The bullet narrowly missed his lung and spine, creating a noticeable bulge under his skin.
Despite surviving the ordeal, Souza admitted to Vanity Fair that he was not grateful to be alive. “I hoped I wouldn’t wake up the next day,” he said, expressing a profound sense of despair.
The incident led to a complex legal situation, culminating in a plea deal for first assistant director Dave Halls and a conviction for armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Baldwin’s manslaughter charges were dismissed due to withheld evidence. Souza remains ambivalent about the legal outcomes, stating, “I’m not sure what justice means anymore.”
Souza finally chose to complete the film to honor Hutchins’ legacy, despite initially considering leaving the industry. “Finishing the movie was important to me because it would benefit Halyna’s family and preserve her final work,” he explained. Cinematographer Biana Cline took over, and the scene of the fatal shooting was entirely reworked.
Regarding his relationship with Baldwin during the film’s completion, Souza described it as non-existent. “We’re not friends or enemies; there’s just no relationship,” he said.
“Rust” has been completed since March but has not yet been distributed. Souza hopes that when it is released, the focus will be on Hutchins’ remarkable talent rather than the tragic circumstances surrounding her death. “She should have been working on big studio films, not something of our scale,” he concluded.