A Ukrainian model has reportedly filed a lawsuit against the Cannes Film Festival for alleged mistreatment on the red carpet by a security guard, who faces similar criticism for other tense interactions with female attendees.
Model Sawa Pontyjska said in her lawsuit that the security guard aggressively restrained her as she tried to enter the “Marcello Mio” premiere on May 21. In a viral clip that has been viewed almost 17 million times, the guard is seen hugging Pontyjska and leading her away from the mat.
Pontyjska, who is also a FashionTV presenter, almost fell before standing up and turning her back on the security guard.
Pontyjska posted on her Instagram story what appeared to be a letter addressed to a French judge, in which she told her side of the story.
“I tried to make it to the red carpet with my legitimate entrance,” she wrote in French. “However, when trying to walk on the red carpet, at the top of the stairs, I was violently stopped by a group of security agents. This violent response, which occurred before the eyes of thousands of people, is documented in the attached video.”
The “physical force,” Pontyjska wrote, caused her “considerable injuries” and “serious psychological trauma.”
“This event has prevented me from sleeping for three nights in a row and I have received countless messages of support from my fans who have tried to reassure me,” she added, “I ask that you also take note that after being pushed inward, further away from Ante the cameras and the spectators, they kicked me out through a back door and I couldn't attend the screening of the film I came to look for.”
The Cannes Film Festival did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Destiny's Child alum Kelly Rowland also clashed with the security guard, who has not yet been publicly identified, during the “Marcello Mio” premiere.
As Rowland walked along the stairs of the Festival Palace, she suddenly got into a tense conversation with the guard and was caught pointing his finger at her.
“The woman knows what happened. I know what happened,” Rowland, 43, said. “I have a limit, and I maintain those limits, and that's it.”
Days later, the same guard faced another wave of backlash when she was once again recorded forcibly removing K-pop singer Yoona and Dominican actor Massiel Taveras from the red carpet.
Taveras, who was wearing a white dress with the image of Jesus Christ, spoke about the incident Wednesday on Instagram.
“This is definitely a historic moment to remember,” Taveras wrote. “We are all together in one voice, no [sic] No matter the reasons for the color of our skin, or the portrait of Jesus Christ on my dress, it was not the right way for her to treat us.”
Times staff writer Alexandra Del Rosario contributed to this report.
