‘Rust’ Director Joel Souza Addresses Alec Baldwin Shooting: ‘It’s Bizarre’

Joel Souza, the filmmaker behind “Rust,” has spoken out for the first time about the tragic on-set shooting incident. In an exclusive interview with Vanity Fair, the director shared his reflections on the 2021 event in New Mexico, where a firearm held by actor and producer Alec Baldwin discharged, injuring Souza and resulting in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, who was also a close friend and collaborator.

“It’s bizarre to have been shot,” Souza said. “And then, who was holding the gun? That’s bizarre. I had this weird thought, like, God, I remember watching ‘The Hunt for Red October’ in the movie theater when I was a kid. It’s like your older self whispers to your younger self, ‘Hey, that guy…someday…'”

Souza continued: “Life can take you down some very bizarre roads.” Although he had never publicly spoken about the incident before, he did cooperate with criminal investigators.

“When I tell someone it ruined me, I don’t mean in the sense that people might generally think,” Souza shared. “I don’t mean that it put my career in ruins. I mean, internally, the person I was just went away. That stopped.”

Regarding his relationship with Baldwin, Souza added: “We’re not friends. We’re not enemies. There’s no relationship.”

USA TODAY has attempted to reach Baldwin’s representative for comments.

This story is still developing.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ‘Rust’ movie director Joel Souza breaks silence on Alec Baldwin shooting: ‘It’s bizarre’

Source: USA TODAY