In a recent interview with a director known for creating low-budget Western films, he revealed a strategy for achieving profitability solely through DVD and Blu-ray sales. By keeping production costs at a minimum and featuring a familiar character actor or country music personality in promotional materials, one could potentially recoup investments from sales at Redbox and major retail outlets. However, he cautioned that failure to execute this plan correctly could lead to disastrous outcomes, as evidenced by the film “Rust.”
While this approach may appear outdated in today’s streaming-dominated industry, the relentless pressure to cut expenses persists for independent genre filmmakers. Director Rachel Mason underscores this reality in her compelling Hulu documentary “Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna,” shedding light on the dire consequences of such practices.
The tragic incident on October 21, 2021, on the set of “Rust” in New Mexico, where cinematographer Halyna Hutchins lost her life, serves as a poignant example of the risks involved. Alec Baldwin, portraying the lead role, unintentionally discharged a firearm, mistakenly loaded with live rounds, resulting in Hutchins’ death and director Joel Souza’s severe injury. The irony lies in Hutchins guiding Baldwin’s actions before the fatal shot.
Mason, a personal friend of Hutchins, weaves a gripping narrative through interviews with key figures involved in the tragedy, alongside investigative reports and recorded footage. She challenges prevailing narratives surrounding the incident and raises questions about shared responsibilities beyond the individuals prosecuted for Hutchins’ death.
Through poignant reflections from cast and crew members, Mason portrays the challenging working conditions and tight schedules that characterized the “Rust” production. Despite initial enthusiasm, the atmosphere shifted dramatically in the aftermath of the tragedy, leaving a profound impact on all involved.
In exploring the events leading up to the fatal shooting, Mason’s documentary prompts viewers to reconsider assumptions and recognize the broader implications of safety practices in the film industry.
The documentary is crafted in the style of a high-quality episode of “Law & Order” (with elements of “Rashomon” added for depth). As the police investigation unfolds, questions arise about who placed the live round in Baldwin’s gun by mistake. Was it truly an accident, or was there more to it? And if it was not intentional, how did such a grave error happen?
Assistant director Halls trusted Gutierrez-Reed when she assured him that Baldwin’s gun contained only blanks, a decision he deeply regretted following Hutchins’ tragic death. Halls later faced charges for mishandling a firearm and received six months’ probation in a plea bargain. Baldwin, on the other hand, was accused of involuntary manslaughter despite his claims of ignorance about the loaded gun. His case was dismissed with prejudice due to alleged prosecutorial misconduct.
Gutierrez-Reed was found guilty of the same charge and sentenced to 18 months in prison. The documentary highlights the swift verdict reached by the jury in just three hours, emphasizing the incriminating discovery of live rounds near her work area.
“Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna” refrains from neatly tying up the narrative with a conclusive ending. While “Rust” was eventually finished in Montana as a tribute to Hutchins and screened at the Camerimage Film Festival in Poland, audience reception was reportedly subdued. The documentary suggests that there may be more to the story that remains untold, leaving open the possibility that justice has not been fully served.
The film hints at the ongoing challenges of budget constraints, cost-cutting measures, and risky practices in the independent genre cinema realm. “Last Take” is available for streaming on Hulu.
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