CANNES (AFP) - A dragon named Toothless, a dog with a tuxedo bow and a tuxedo-clad celebrity prankster who dived beneath the dress of an actress stole the limelight from celebrities parading the latest designer gowns at Cannes Film Festival.
A man, identified as Ukrainian journalist Vitalii Sediuk, grabbed the attention of the media when he burst onto the red carpet on Friday night, threw himself to the ground, slipped under Ugly Betty actress America Ferrera's stunning white Georges Hobeika Couture gown and put his hands round her ankles for a few seconds.
Ferrera, who stars in How to Train Your a Dragon 2, had been posing for photographs with colleagues Cate Blanchett and Kit Harrington when the 26-year-old man ambushed her. Security officers rapidly intervened, escorting away the prankster as the US actress looked on in confusion.
After taking a moment to compose themselves, the cast continued her walk up the steps. While police refuse to reveal his identity, they say the man has a long record of ankle-grabbing and hugging, having already vented his affection on Will Smith, Madonna, British singer Adele and Leonardo DiCaprio. In 2012, he attempted to repeatedly kiss Will Smith on the lips at the premier of Men in Black 3, earning himself a gentle slap in the face. He has also been photographed awkwardly hugging actors Bradley Cooper and Leonardo DiCaprio, said reports.
"It's fine - I'm over it," Ferrera said when The Hollywood Reporter asked her about the incident later.
Another strange creature who turned heads was a figure of Toothless the Dragon character from the film How to Train Your Dragon 2. The dragon posed on the red carpet with actress Cate Blanchett, and outshone the movie star who shone bright in a Givenchy gown with a bodice featuring elaborate multi-colored embroidery and sapphire Chopard earrings. Blanchett is the voice of one of the characters.
Meanwhile, Buddy the dog was also the centre of attention during a photocall for the film Feher Isten. The movie talks about the story of a young girl and her dog, who live in a dystopian society where dogs are levied with a special tax. When the girl has her dog taken from her by her father, she runs away to find her pet.
