Cannes 2024: Model sues over alleged red carpet assault
The biggest talking points from the Cannes Film Festival typically emerge from the movies screening both in an out of competition. However, instead, a security guard has been gaining headlines after a Ukrainian model filed a legal complaint against the organisers of the prestigious event.
Sawa Pontyjska was captured on camera being challenged by a Cannes steward, and it’s not an isolated incident. Previously-released footage showed the exact same person forcefully ushering South Korean actor Yoona and Dominican star Massiel Taveras, with Kelly Rowland also speaking out on her own experience.
The former Destiny’s Child member opened up on her altercation by saying “I have a boundary, and I stand by those boundaries, and that is it” after the steward was spotted being chastised by the singer for the way she was being treated on the Cannes red carpet.
Pontyjska is taking things further, telling the BBC that she was “brutally” restrained while trying to enter a screening for the premiere of Christophe Honoré’s comedy Marcello Mio. The television personality and FashionTV host accused the festival of “physical assault and psychological damage,” and is seeking €100,000 in damages.
The video showed Pontyjska struggling with the security guard, before she was stopped by more stewards and taken inside the auditorium. “I was trying to escape from this lock,” she explained. “I went down and I started to run away on the stairs because it was the way back.”
Pontyjska said of the security guard that “she was trying to push me so nobody can see what she’s doing with me,” before “she kicked me out through the back door.” The model reached out to try and secure an apology from the organisers, but when that wasn’t forthcoming, she filed her legal complaint.
In the legal document, Pontyjska alleges she was “violently challenged by one of a group of security guards” in front of “thousands of people,” with the incident causing her “acute pain” as well as “psychological trauma.” Cannes representatives are yet to comment.
The Pontyjska footage marks the fourth time the steward has gone viral for the way attendees on the red carpet were being ushered to wherever they needed to be, and the Ukrainian is the only one thus far to have taken legal action.
This is a developing story.
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.