Almost three years after the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins, a Ukrainian cinematographer who was part of the festival family, Camerimage is set to honour her memory and remind the world of her legacy.
During this year’s edition of the EnergaCAMERIMAGE Festival, a special World Premiere screening of the film Rust will take place, followed by a unique panel discussion with the film's director Joel Souza, cinematographer Bianca Cline, and Stephen Lighthill, Halyna’s mentor from her beloved film school, AFI.
Photo from RUST
In the panel, following the screening of Rust, the filmmakers will discuss events surrounding the film, offering insight into continuing production after Halyna's death. Maintaining Hutchins’ artistic vision, as tremendously challenging as it was for the entire crew, was really important to the filmmakers, hoping to fulfil their duty to complete her work.
During the panel, they will discuss the unique visual style that Halyna developed on set and explain how Bianca Cline, who took over her work, managed to remarkably replicate Halyna’s style. Thanks to Cline’s skill, the cinematography remains consistent throughout the film.
Photo from RUST
The discussion will also touch on important issues in the film industry. Halyna’s story will serve as a starting point for a conversation about the role of women in cinematography and their contributions to the art of filmmaking. Another key topic of the discussion will be safety on set.
The festival received the news of Halyna's death just weeks before the start of EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2021. Festival director Marek Zydowicz comments:
“We knew that our event was important to her, and that she felt at home among cinematographers from all over the world, who have been gathering at Camerimage for over 30 years. During the festival, we honoured Halyna’s memory with a moment of silence and a panel of cinematographers discussed safety on set. Now, once again, together with cinematographers and film enthusiasts, we will have this special opportunity to remember her.”
Photo from RUST
The Western will be shown to the public for the first time during this year's edition of EnergaCAMERIMAGE, making this a unique festival premiere and fulfilling a dream of Halyna, who, even during the early stages of Rust's production, convinced director Joel Souza that their work should be shown at EnergaCAMERIMAGE.
It is a great honour that the film will be seen for the first time in Toruń, Poland - in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, where viewers will have a one-of-a-kind opportunity to reflect on the role of cinematographers in the storytelling process.
Rust tells the story of a 13-year-old boy who, left to fend for himself and his younger brother following their parents' deaths in 1880s Wyoming, goes on the run with his long-estranged grandfather after he's sentenced to hang for the accidental killing of a local rancher.
EnergaCAMERIMAGE 2024 takes place November 16-23.