The new documentary Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna delves into the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust. The film features interviews with key individuals who were present on the day of her passing. Notably absent from the interviews are actor Alec Baldwin and armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, although Dave Halls, who admitted to negligent use of a deadly weapon, did provide insights into the events surrounding Hutchins’ death.
Director Rachel Mason, a close friend of Hutchins, conducted the interviews but revealed that Baldwin was unable to participate due to his commitments to other projects. Baldwin, who faced trial on charges of involuntary manslaughter following the incident, was ultimately cleared of the accusation after his legal team claimed evidence had been withheld. In contrast, Gutierrez-Reed received an 18-month prison sentence for her role in overseeing the prop weapons on set.
The documentary not only examines the circumstances of Hutchins’ death but also delves into the highly publicized Rust trials. Despite being aware of Baldwin’s reality series The Baldwins, Mason admitted to not having watched it as she was focused on completing the film. The documentary was discussed during an FYC event in West Hollywood, where the challenges of portraying Hutchins’ life and work were highlighted. Souza expressed his desire for a more comprehensive focus on Hutchins rather than solely on the tragic shooting incident.
Metz emphasized the importance of including Halyna’s narrative in the story of Rust. He acknowledged that the focus shifted towards her death rather than her life throughout the process. Souza revealed that he initially had reservations about participating in the documentary due to his strong sense of privacy. However, his trust in the filmmakers, Rachel and Julie, along with the support of Halyna’s friend, Matt, ultimately reassured him. While the prospect of sharing personal details was daunting, Souza found comfort and care in the hands of the documentary team. “Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna” is now available on Hulu. (Source: People)
