Rust director Joul Souza spoke candidly about the fatal shooting that took place on the set of the film, what happened at the time and his relationship with actor Alec Baldwin.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Souza spoke for the first time since the 2021 incident about the moment Alec Baldwin fired a live shot, killing camerawoman Halyna Hutchins and critically injuring Souza, who was hit in the shoulder.

"It's crazy to be shot," Souza said. "And who was holding the gun? That's crazy. I had this weird thought, like, 'God, I remember watching The Hunt for Red October in the theater when I was a kid. It's like your older self whispering to your younger self, 'Hey, that guy… someday.'"

"The whole right side of my body went numb, completely numb, but it was also really painful at the same time, if that makes sense," Souza said. "It was like everything was tingling and numb but also really painful at the same time. And I would stagger back and be on my knees or on my butt — and just scream… I don't even know what the hell I was screaming."