Ukrainian Model Sawa Pontyjska Reportedly Sues Cannes Film Festival After Security Guard Allegedly ‘Brutally Restrained’ and Dragged Her
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Pontyjska shared a clip of the confrontation on TikTok, attracting more than 16 million views
Sawa Pontyjska/Instagram Sawa Pontyjska
Sawa Pontyjska is suing the Cannes Film Festival over her experience on a red carpet that she alleges caused her pain and trauma.In an interview with the BBC published on Thursday, May 30, the Ukrainian model reportedly revealed that she filed a legal complaint against event organizers after she was allegedly "brutally restrained" by a female security guard at the premiere of Marcello Mio.Pontyjska claims that she became scared after the unnamed guard locked her in a "bear hug" while she was at the top of the Palais des Festivals staircase, attempting to enter the event on Tuesday, May 21, BBC reports."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]," Pontyjska 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."
Sawa Pontyjska/Instagram Sawa Pontyjska
Related: Kelly Rowland Explains Viral Confrontation with Security on Cannes Red Carpet: 'I Stood My Ground'
A clip of the confrontation shared by Pontyjska on TikTok has accumulated more than 16 million views.The video appears to show the female guard attempting to drag Pontyjska inside while having her arms around her. As the two exchange words, Pontyjska's knees buckle to the ground, and she quickly gets up and breaks free 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 damage" and is seeking 100,000 euros (roughly $108,300) in damages. Citing the legal complaint, the BBC adds that Pontyjska is alleging 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 she was looking for a "serious lawyer."
Mike Marsland/WireImage Kelly Rowland at the Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2024
Related: Cannes Security Guard Who Was Involved in the Kelly Rowland Incident Moves Actress Massiel Taveras Off the Carpet
"I always dreamed into getting of Cannes Film Festival but then I was shocked about rudeness and unreasonable use of physical force which I experienced on the red carpet with other international stars. We are getting ready to file all together," said Pontyjska, per BBC.
Andreas Rentz/Getty Massiel Taveras at the Cannes Film Festival on May 22, 2024
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Footage of the female security guard having an exchange with Dominican actress Massiel Taveras as she attempted to take photos on the festival steps on Wednesday, May 22, has also gone viral. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People.
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