Joel Souza, the director of the film "Rust," has shared the devastating emotional toll he experienced after being shot during the on-set tragedy that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Souza revealed that the incident had a profound and lasting impact on him, fundamentally changing his perspective on life.

Souza, 55, recounted the moment of the shooting, which took place on October 21, 2021, on the Bonanza Creek Ranch set. He explained that while the shooting did not physically ruin his career, it had a profound internal effect. "When I tell someone it ruined me, I don't mean in the sense that people might generally think," Souza reflected. "I mean, internally, the person I was just went away. That stopped."

The director further expressed that the tragic incident altered his perception of the world. "You look in the mirror the day after that happens, and now there's somebody else there," Souza shared. "I didn't know things about the world one day, and now I do. And none of them are good."

Despite the immense emotional impact, the cast and crew, including Souza, returned to the set to finish filming "Rust." However, the fatal scene had to be completely scrapped, along with a few preceding scenes that no longer made sense in the revised story. Souza emphasized that there was no intention to revisit or keep any footage related to the tragic incident. The focus was on creating something entirely different.

Regarding his relationship with Alec Baldwin, who was holding the gun that unintentionally fired, resulting in the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins, Souza revealed that there is now "no relationship" between them. While Baldwin returned to star in the film, Souza clarified that they are neither friends nor enemies.

In a surprising turn of events, Baldwin was criminally charged but had the case dismissed mid-trial due to the prosecution withholding evidence favorable to the defense. However, the "Rust" armorer, Hannah Gutierrez Reed, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and is currently serving time.

During Gutierrez Reed's trial, Souza provided harrowing testimony about the shooting. He recounted the moments leading up to the incident, describing the chaos and confusion on set. The director vividly remembered the deafening sound of the gun firing and the excruciating pain as if he had been struck by a baseball bat.

The aftermath of the shooting was described as "very chaotic" with Souza being attended to alongside Hutchins, who tragically lost her life. The director expressed his ongoing struggle to make sense of what had transpired.

Joel Souza's candid insights into the profound impact of the "Rust" shooting shed light on the long-lasting emotional trauma that has forever changed him. As the film industry continues to grapple with the tragic event, the incident serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of safety on movie sets.