In a statement released through her lawyer, Gloria Allred, Solovey expressed her disappointment, saying she had once hoped to watch her daughter’s work on screen. “That dream was taken from me when Alec Baldwin discharged his gun and killed my daughter,” she said. Solovey also criticized Baldwin for refusing to apologize or take responsibility, adding that she believes he is exploiting Hutchins’ death for profit.
Rust was completed 18 months after the fatal shooting, with additional filming in Montana. The film's completion was part of a legal settlement with Hutchins’ widower, designed to benefit her son. However, Hutchins’ family in Ukraine, including her parents and sister, filed a separate lawsuit, which is still pending.
The film’s producers have promoted the premiere as a tribute to Hutchins’ final work. Director Joel Souza, who was injured in the shooting, is expected to join a panel discussion alongside Bianca Cline, the cinematographer who finished the film, and Stephen Lighthill, Hutchins’ mentor.
However, tensions remain high. Attorneys for Hutchins’ family have accused the production of exploitation, claiming the premiere serves to benefit Baldwin and others involved in the incident. They also noted delays in financial payments to Hutchins’ widower and son, which were agreed upon as part of the settlement.
Baldwin faced manslaughter charges earlier this year, but the case was dismissed due to procedural issues. Meanwhile, the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, is serving an 18-month sentence for loading a live round into Baldwin’s gun.
The controversy surrounding Rust continues to overshadow its release, as the legal battles and unresolved emotions persist.