Ukrainian Model Sawa Pontyiska Sues Organisers Of Cannes Film Festival Over Alleged Assault Incident

Ukrainian model Sawa Pontyiska has said that she has filed a legal complaint against organisers of the Cannes Film Festival over an alleged assault incident on the red carpet of the famed Le Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes. A video doing the rounds on social media had hinted that Pontyiska was involved in an altercation with the security guard.  

Sawa Pontyjska sues organisers of Cannes Film Festival

Sawa Pontyjska was one of several guests who were filmed being challenged by a steward at the prestigious film festival hosted at the French event. Pontyjska, a presenter for FashionTV, shared in an interview that she was "brutally" restrained as she tried to enter the cinema with a legitimate ticket for the premiere of Marcello Mio.

On social media, Pontyjska posted pictures of documents accusing the festival of "physical assault and psychological damage". She said her reputation had also been harmed and is seeking 100,000 euros (£85,000) in damages. Meanwhile, festival organisers have not responded to requests for a comment on the matter.

Sawa Pontyjska's alleged assault video goes viral

A video of the incident, which happened on May 21, has been viewed more than 16 million times on social media platform TikTok. It showed Pontyjska at the top of the steps to the Palais des Festivals seemingly being ushered in by the female guard, who then puts both arms around her.

The two briefly struggled and Pontyjska almost fell to the ground, before she tried to go back down the steps and was stopped by more security personnel and taken inside. Pontyjska shared in the aftermath of the incident that she had been put in a "bear hug" and felt scared.