A Ukrainian influencer was pulled off the crimson carpet on the Cannes Film Festival, after she lined herself in faux blood on the steps as much as the Palais, staging a protest in help of Ukraine.
This yr, town of Cannes banned protests alongside the Croisette and its environment throughout the pageant.
Ilona Chernobai — a Ukrainian health coach with a million followers on Instagram — walked the crimson carpet at Cannes in a blue and yellow costume, symbolizing the Ukraine flag. As she obtained to the steps, she pulled luggage of pretend blood from beneath her costume and poured them over herself. Security instantly grabbed her and escorted her off the carpet.
On her Instagram, Chernobai posted about her act of protest, writing, “The action was in support of the occupied territories and our people who live there.”
“On the red carpet of the 76th Cannes Film Festival, I came out in a dress in the colors of our flag and poured red paint on myself,” Chernobai wrote (in a submit that has been translated to English by Variety). “I used my chance and with this act I reminded what is happening in Ukraine!!!”
She continued, “Unfortunately, I can no longer post all the events in stories, like many bloggers, because Instagram destroys everything! But my page is under threat of deletion! I am very glad that my act spread all over the world media! People should not forget about us!”
“I am with Ukraine in my heart,” she stated. “I did what I had to do!”
Chernobai stated in her submit that she is now “banned from the festival” and lots of different occasions, “but it’s worth it.”
TOPSHOT – A protester, sporting a costume within the colors of the Ukrainian flag, is detained by safety after she lined herself in faux blood on the steps on the Festival Palace forward of the screening of the movie “Acide” throughout the 76th version of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 21, 2023. (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP) (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP by way of Getty Images)
AFP by way of Getty Images
In gentle of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Cannes banned Russian delegates from the pageant in 2022, writing in a press release, “We will not welcome official Russian delegations nor accept the presence of anyone linked to the Russian government.”
As the 2023 version continues, the Ukrainian League of Cinemas known as on individuals of the pageant to halt all enterprise with Russia somewhat than help “terrorism,” inflicting business professionals to weigh the ethical price of working within the nation in opposition to the monetary upside of releasing movies within the profitable Russian market.
Variety has reached out to the pageant for remark.