Ukrainian model Sawa Pontyjska claimed a Cannes Film Festival security guard “brutally restrained” her as she walked on the red carpet and tried to enter the theater at this year’s event, according to a new lawsuit. In an interview with BBC News , Pontyjska — who was at the star-studded event as a presenter for Fashion TV — said she filed a legal complaint against Cannes organizers over the alleged assault at the “Marcello Mio” premiere. Pontyjska claimed that the female security guard, who also clashed with Kelly Rowland and Massiel Taveras , locked her in a “bear hug” at the top of the Palais des Festivals staircase.
“I was trying to escape from this lock. I went down, and I started to run away on the stairs because it was the way back [out],” she told the outlet. “She was trying to push me in[side], so nobody can see what she’s doing with me.
Then she kicked me out through the back door.” Footage of Pontyjska’s heated exchange with the staffer went viral on TikTok , racking up millions of views. In the clip, the female security guard can be seen attempting to drag the model inside while having her arms around her before the pair exchange words on the nearly empty red carpet.
Pontyjska then crouches near the ground to break free from the usher before she is met with three men, one of whom grabs her by the waist. Pontyjska is accusing the festival of “physical assault and psychological damage” and is seeking over $108,000 in damages, the out.
