Many were expecting Joel to come out and say something at some point. The shooting, which occurred on the set of the Western film 'Rust' in October 2021, shocked the entertainment industry and drew widespread media attention. It continues to be top of mind for so many.
- The 'Rust' tragedy continues to sadden the world
- Director Joel Souza has finally spoken out
- The grief is still too near
A director's thoughts
Joel Souza, who was seriously injured in the same accident, has finally broken his silence about the harrowing event. His account provides new insights into the circumstances surrounding the accident and the impact it has had on him personally and professionally.
The incident occurred during a rehearsal for a scene in 'Rust,' a film set in the 1880s that starred Alec Baldwin as a notorious outlaw.
According to Souza, Baldwin was practicing a scene where he was required to draw a revolver. The gun, which was supposed to be a prop, was accidentally loaded with live ammunition. When Baldwin pulled the trigger, the gun discharged, striking Hutchins and Souza.
"It’s bizarre to have been shot," Souza says. "And then, who was holding the gun? That’s bizarre. I had this weird thought, like, God, I remember watching The Hunt for Red October in the movie theater when I was a kid. It’s like your older self whispers to your younger self, ‘Hey, that guy…someday…’"
"Life can take you down some very bizarre roads," Souza concludes.
The filmmaker has stayed silent publicly ever since. Part of what kept him quiet was abject grief. Hutchins was his coworker, but also his friend. She was a wife and mother of a young son; he is a husband, with two young boys of his own. They bonded over that, as well as their shared love of movies—she was steeped in classics and foreign cinema, while he’s an encyclopedia of Hollywood blockbusters and cult favorites.
They’d been working tirelessly on 'Rust' but were also having fun shooting the movie together. He had hoped to team with her for years to come. "Oh my God, she was too cool for me to know," Souza says. "I felt like, Wow, this is somebody that I feel a really instant bond with."
Hutchins, who was renowned for her work on films like 'Archenemy,' succumbed to her injuries, while Souza survived but sustained significant injuries.
In his interview, Souza detailed the profound shock and confusion that followed the shooting. He described how the set, once a bustling hub of creativity and collaboration, was abruptly transformed into a scene of chaos and horror. The filmmakers, actors, and crew members were left grappling with the shock of the incident, struggling to process the enormity of the tragedy.
Souza also discussed the immediate aftermath of the shooting, including the response from law enforcement and the intense media scrutiny that followed.
He recounted the emotional toll it took on him, both as a director who lost a valued collaborator and as a person who experienced a near-fatal accident. The psychological impact of the event, Souza admitted, has been profound, affecting his sense of safety and his approach to filmmaking.
Furthermore, Souza reflected on the broader implications of the incident for the film industry. He highlighted the urgent need for stricter safety protocols on sets, particularly regarding the handling of firearms and other potentially dangerous props. The accident has sparked a renewed debate about industry standards and the measures necessary to prevent such tragedies in the future.
An involuntary manslaughter case against Baldwin was dismissed over the prosecution’s mishandling of evidence. Souza was slated to testify in the trial before it ended abruptly on July 12. "There’s a lot of people who know a lot of very specific things about all of it, but in a weird way, I feel like I’m the person who knows the most about all of it," Souza says.
Souza's account sheds light on the complex and tragic nature of the incident and underscores the human cost of such accidents. His reflections not only honor Hutchins' memory but also serve as a poignant reminder of the responsibility that comes with working in the high-stakes environment of filmmaking.
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Jurors to Decide
As the investigation into the shooting continues, Souza's perspective offers valuable context and insight into one of the most devastating accidents in recent Hollywood history.
His openness about the experience contributes to a deeper understanding of the incident and its far-reaching consequences for all involved.
