Ukrainian model Sawa Pontyjska has filed a lawsuit against a Cannes Film Festival security guard, claiming she was ‘brutally’ restrained on the red carpet. The incident, which was caught on video, also involved singer Kelly Rowland and other attendees.
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According to PageSix, Pontyjska has also lodged a legal complaint against the festival organizers, alleging physical assault and psychological damage. She is seeking 100,000 euros (£85,000) in damages.
Pontyjska, a presenter for FashionTV, told BBC News that she had a legitimate ticket to the premiere of the French film “Marcello Mio” when she was restrained by the security guard. Documents posted by the model accuse the staff of causing harm to her reputation and inflicting psychological trauma.
The video of the altercation, posted online by Pontyjska, shows her at the top of the stairs to the Palais des Festivals. The security guard is seen restraining her, leading to a struggle. Pontyjska pulled away, dropped to the ground, and tried to walk back down the steps. However, more security guards intercepted her and took her inside the building.
Pontyjska told BBC News, “I was trying to escape from this lock. I went down and started to run away on the stairs because it was the way back out. She was trying to push me inside, so nobody could see what she was doing to me. Then she kicked me out through the back door.”
The model emphasized that she had a ticket like everyone else and was not doing anything wrong. She claims to have attempted to contact the festival organizers for an apology but has yet to receive a response.
In her legal complaint, Pontyjska states that she was “violently challenged” in front of “thousands of people,” causing her “acute pain” and “psychological trauma.”
