Calay News
During the 76th Cannes Film Festival, a woman wearing the colors of the Ukrainian flag staged a dramatic protest on the red carpet. In a show of solidarity for the war-torn country, she poured fake blood over herself before being escorted out by security. The incident occurred during the screening of the film “Acid” by Just Philippot.
The unidentified protester appeared on the red carpet alongside celebrities, dressed in a floor-length blue and yellow ball gown, representing the Ukrainian flag. She swiftly climbed the steps of the Palais des Festivals and retrieved fake blood capsules from her dress. With a smile on her face, she burst the capsules, raising her hands above her head as cameras captured the moment.
In a similar incident at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022, another woman made a solo demonstration by ripping off her dress to reveal her body painted with the colors of the Ukrainian flag. The words “STOP RAPING US” were inscribed on her body. She wore red-stained underpants with handprints on her buttocks. The protester shouted and posed for photographers before being removed by security. This protest occurred during the world premiere of the film “Three Thousand Years of Longing,” with stars Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton set to attend.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky also made an unexpected video address during the opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival in a previous year. He urged the film industry to speak out against the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, highlighting the loss of lives and the need for unity. Zelensky emphasized the role of cinema in giving a voice to important issues and expressed hope that it would not remain silent in the face of oppression.
Despite Russia claiming victory and asserting control over the besieged Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, President Zelensky insisted that the city had not been occupied. Speaking at a press conference during the G7 summit, he stated that while Russian forces were present in Bakhmut, he did not specify whether they were Ukrainian or Russian troops. Zelensky acknowledged the complexities of the situation and the potential dangers faced by Ukrainian soldiers if they were surrounded. The Russian mercenary group Wagner had previously declared its control over Bakhmut following a prolonged and violent conflict with Ukrainian forces.
