Sawa Pontyjska is suing the Cannes Film Festival over her experience on the red carpet, which she claims caused her pain and trauma.
In an interview with the BBC published on Thursday, May 30, the Ukrainian model reportedly revealed that she has filed legal action against the event’s organizers after she was allegedly “brutally restrained” by a security guard at the film’s premiere Marcello Mio.
Pontyjska claims she was scared after an unnamed security guard locked her in a “bear hug” while she was at the top of the Palais des Festivals stairs, trying to enter the event on Tuesday, May 21, the BBC reports.
“I was trying to get out of this lock. I went downstairs and started running up the stairs because that was the way back [out]”, Pontyjska told the newspaper. “She was trying to push me inside[side], so no one can see what he’s doing with me. Then she threw me out the back door.”
Sawa Pontyjska.
Sawa Pontyjska/Instagram
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The video of the conflict that Pontyjska shared on TikTok has garnered more than 16 million views.
The video appears to show a female guard trying to pull Pontyjska inside with her arms around him. As the two exchange words, Pontyjska’s knees hit the ground, she quickly gets to her feet and frees herself before being confronted by additional security personnel.
PEOPLE has reached out to the Cannes Film Festival for comment.
According to the BBC, Pontyjska is accusing the festival of “physical assault and psychological harm” and is seeking 100,000 euros (approximately $108,300) in damages. Citing the lawsuit, the BBC adds that Pontyjska alleges that the use of physical force caused her “acute pain” and “psychological trauma.”
Pontyjska echoed similar sentiments in a video posted on TikTok and Instagram on Tuesday, May 28. In it, she told her followers that she was looking for a “serious lawyer.”
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Kelly Rowland at the Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2024.
Mike Marsland/WireImage
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“I always dreamed of winning the Cannes Film Festival, but then I was shocked by the rudeness and unreasonable use of physical force that I experienced on the red carpet with other international stars. We are preparing to endure everything together,” said Pontyjska, BBC reports. .
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Massiel Taveras at the Cannes Film Festival on May 22, 2024.
Andreas Rentz/Getty
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A video of a security guard arguing with Dominican actress Massiel Taveras while she was trying to take a photo on the steps of the festival on Wednesday, May 22, also went viral.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education