More than three years after the accidental death of the cinematographer on the set Halyna Hutchins, Alec Baldwin’s Western movie “Rust” received a polite response during its controversial premiere Wednesday on the hourthe EnergaCamerimage festival in Toruń, Poland.

The audience cheered through the film’s closing credits, strengthening their applause when a dedication to Hutchins appeared. However, quite a number of viewers left the theater before the credits rolled and before a Q&A with director Joel Souza — who was also injured in the October 2021 gun accident that occurred while filming in New Mexico — and cinematographer Bianca Cline, who completed the film.

Producer and star Alec Baldwin — who was wielding the prop gun at the time of the accident — was not invited to attend the festival, according to a spokesperson for the event. Baldwin was charged with manslaughter, but the case was dismissed because the prosecution failed to present evidence.

Hutchins’ mother, Olga Solovey — who is suing the production and Baldwin — did not attend, nor did the cinematographer’s husband, Matthew Hutchins, who was named an executive producer on “Rust” as part of the settlement.

The premiere opened with Camerimage director Marek Żydowicz asking the audience to sit for a moment of silence for Hutchins. Photographer Rachel Mason, a friend of Hutchins who made a documentary about the completion of the film, then gave an emotional speech.

“I feel very strongly that I have to make a statement about a very misunderstood film and about the people who made it, who I think are heroic people,” she said, noting that the crew returned to the set after the accident because of their dedication and love for Hutchins.

“You could just feel and see the trauma they had been through, like a war zone. And I said, ‘Why would you put yourself back in your most difficult emotional nightmare?'” she said. “And every single person had the same response to me. When they found out that this movie “Rust” could help Halyna’s family, they thought of one thing: the fact that she has a son, and that son can no longer have a mother. And if he could do something for that little boy, then why wouldn’t he be there?”

Controversy erupted over the screening of “Rust” at Camerimage when it was announced last month. Żydowicz responded with a statement at the time, which read in part: “The sole purpose of this screening is to honor Halyna’s work, talent and artistic achievements… Our goal is to honor and fulfill the wishes of Halyna and her family.” It was Halyna’s dream to present ‘Rust’ at EnergaCamerimage, and her family wants that to happen as well.”

Mason said he wishes he could “know what Halyna would really want” when it comes to finishing and premiering “Rust.”

“But guess what? I can’t ask her,” she said. “For the past three years, I’ve been living inside Halyna’s brain during the 12 days she was on the set of Rust to understand: What did she see in this movie? Did you like this movie? What was she doing there?”

Souza and Cline then took the stage to deliver their own heartfelt remarks.

“I think it’s so amazing to see people supporting Halyna and what we’ve accomplished together,” Cline said. “When you see this film today, you will experience the world through Halyna’s eyes. You will be able to experience her world view, and I hope you all have it in your hearts as you see this today.”

Souza added: “We’re here in a place that she loved so much, probably second only to being on set. I want to thank you all for coming and taking a few hours out of your day to come celebrate my friend and celebrate her art and talent. She really was something.”

Hutchins was an emerging talent with credits including 2020’s “Archenemy” and “Blindfire” and 2019’s “Darlin.” She was posthumously awarded an honorary membership in the America Society of Cinematographers. In addition, AFI launched the Halyna Hutchins Memorial Scholarship Fund.

“Rust” tells the story of a 13-year-old boy who, left to fend for himself and his younger brother following the death of their parents in 1880s Wyoming, runs away with his long-estranged grandfather after he is sentenced to hang. the accidental killing of a local farmer.

Following Hutchins’ death, star and producer Baldwin, who was wielding the prop gun at the time of the accident, was charged with manslaughter, but the case was dismissed because the prosecution failed to present evidence.

Following that decision, the defense for gunsmith “Rust” Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who is serving an 18-month sentence for Hutchins’ death, asked for a new trial, but a judge denied the request and upheld the verdict.