Amidst the triumph of Sean Baker's film "Anora" receiving the coveted Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival, a workplace drama involving a female security guard has sparked widespread discussion. Social media posts capturing the guard rushing celebrities Kelly Rowland, Massiel Taveras, and Yoona up the Palais steps during separate events have gone viral, raising questions about the festival's red carpet protocols.

The videos circulating online have drawn attention to the fact that all the individuals being hurried through the red carpet were women of color, leading to allegations of discrimination. Additionally, footage emerged showing the same security guard forcibly moving a Ukrainian model who was attempting to pose for pictures at the top of the steps.

Kelly Rowland, who engaged in a tense exchange with the security guard during the incident, expressed her disappointment. "The woman knows what happened. I know what happened. I have boundaries, and I stand by them," she told The Associated Press. Rowland also pointed out that other women who attended the event, who did not resemble her, were not scolded or pushed aside.

The Hollywood Reporter (THR) has sought comment from the festival but has not received a response yet. THR also reached out to festival insiders, who downplayed the controversy, citing it as a common occurrence at the Palais. These insiders, including executives and PR representatives, explained that the festival runs its red carpet with a near militaristic approach.

Although it remains unclear how long the security guard captured in the videos has been working at the festival, it is a well-known fact that many Palais employees have held their positions for several years and are proficiently trained. These professionals handle multiple security checkpoints, oversee the iconic red carpet, and work inside the Grand Lumiere Theatre. According to one security official, they have been serving at the same post for over a decade.

Unless they are A-list actors, jury members, or celebrities representing festival sponsors, attendees are accustomed to being rushed down the red carpet and quickly escorted to their seats to start the scheduled events on time. The festival's security personnel are also proactive in preventing unauthorized photographs, frequently obstructing camera lenses.

While some attendees have criticized the lack of sensitivity and decorum among the security staff, others argue that the logistics of the festival necessitate swift and efficient movements. Selfies and stunts are strictly discouraged, as they could disrupt the flow of events and jeopardize overall security.

Past incidents at the Palais have also courted controversy. In 2015, there was an uproar when women were reportedly turned away from premieres for not wearing high heels, and men were denied entry without black tuxedo shoes. Festival representative Thierry Fremaux dismissed the claims as unfounded, but the issue continued to dominate discussions that year.

However, by 2016, Fremaux admitted that the incident was unacceptable and attributed it to the actions of one individual among the vast security team.

The Cannes Film Festival, often hailed as the last true film festival, has long been associated with glamorous red carpet events. While the controversy surrounding the security guard's conduct has raised concerns about equality and fairness, it also sheds light on the challenges faced by festival organizers in maintaining order and punctuality amid the frenzy of the highly-anticipated premieres.

As the Cannes Film Festival concludes for another year, the fallout from this incident serves as a reminder for the organizers to reevaluate their protocols and ensure that all attendees are treated with the respect they deserve.