"Repeated 'Racism Offender' Faces 100 Million Won Compensation Demand... Cannes Film Festival Ultimately Sued"

Ukrainian Model Files Lawsuit Against Cannes Film Festival for 'Silent Treatment'
Seeks 100,000 Euros (Approx. 150 Million KRW) in Damages
Claims Mental and Physical Suffering, Reputation Damage Due to Security Guard

Singer and actress Yoona (Im Yoona) has sparked controversy over allegations of racial discrimination by a security guard on the red carpet at the 77th Cannes International Film Festival, and the Cannes Film Festival has been sued for its 'silent' response to the security guard who excessively restrained people of color.

On the 19th (local time), at the red carpet of the 77th Cannes International Film Festival, a female security guard is excessively blocking Yoona. [Image source=Captured from X (formerly Twitter)]

On the 30th (local time), the British BBC reported that the 77th Cannes International Film Festival was sued due to a security guard involved in a racial discrimination controversy. Sawa Pontiiska, a Ukrainian model and fashion TV host, filed a lawsuit against the Cannes International Film Festival organizing committee, claiming she suffered mental and physical harm because a security guard 'violently' blocked her on the red carpet. In the complaint, she stated, "I was subjected to a 'violent challenge' by the security guard in front of thousands of people," adding, "This use of physical force caused acute pain and psychological trauma."

Pontiiska said she had a valid ticket at the time and did nothing wrong, and although she tried to contact the organizing committee to demand an apology, the committee remained unresponsive. She is seeking 100,000 euros (about 150 million KRW) in damages, citing mental and physical harm as well as damage to her reputation.

A female bodyguard trying to forcibly drag in Sawa Pontiiska, a Ukrainian model and fashion TV host.
[Image source=TikTok capture]

The video capturing the incident attracted public attention with over 16 million views on TikTok. The footage shows the security guard stopping Pontiiska as she was about to pose while ascending the stairs of the Lumi?re Grand Theatre, a symbol of the Cannes Film Festival. The guard even wrapped his arms around her waist and forcibly dragged her inside the theater. Pontiiska resisted and struggled to avoid being dragged, even sitting down on the stairs.

The security guard who 'violently' restrained Pontiiska clashed with participants throughout the festival. The fact that all those excessively restrained were people of color sparked allegations of racial discrimination. This security guard also caused controversy domestically, as on the 19th he excessively blocked Yoona, a former member of Girls' Generation and actress, as she entered the red carpet. When Yoona tried to pose on the red carpet, the guard excessively restrained her and urged her to enter quickly.

He also had disputes with Kelly Rowland, formerly of Destiny's Child, and even got into a physical altercation with Dominican actress Maciel Taveras. Rowland directly criticized the incident, saying, "Other women who stepped on the red carpet who did not look like me were neither scolded, pushed out, nor urged to go inside," calling it "racial discrimination."