Make-up artist Aliona Antonova had little idea when she fled her home town the morning of the Russian invasion in Ukraine that she would soon find herself among the stars at the world's top film festival.
Antonova's made-for-Hollywood odyssey to the Cannes Film Festival 2022 began at dawn on February 24, with the first bombs going off in Odessa, not far from her beauty salon and make-up school.
Now the single mum, 31, finds herself doing cosmetics for guests bound for the festival's vaunted red carpet.
"I believe in my destiny," she said.
"When I decided to come here I didn't know: would I have clients here or students? But I just knew that I should come here."
See the best photos from Cannes Film Festival's opening day:
'In shock'
Antonova's story began that frightening morning three months ago.
"One day before the war started, I was arguing with my uncle because he told me soon the war would start. I didn't believe him but I went to sleep and I felt something unusual — it was fear," she said.
The next morning at 6am, her brother woke her with the news, telling her to prepare to flee the country.
"I called a taxi to check on my salon and heard a bomb and was in shock," she said.
Although Antonova hated leaving her home, employees and her beloved city, her quick escape to Moldova proved a wise decision given the massive queues that soon appeared at the border.
By chance, her son Micha, aged 4, was already with her parents in the Moldovan capital Chisinau for a family celebration.
Harnessing the power of her 72,000 Instagram followers, she quickly landed work in western European countries which had opened their borders to Ukrainians, doing makeovers and tutorials in cities such as Brussels and Berlin.
Even back in Odessa, she had set her sights on Cannes one day because "all [the] stars are usually in America but it's very far away — this is the closest place with so many stars" in one place at one time.
She contacted local beauty salons and the first one she wrote to offered her a spot as a freelancer during the festival.
"I was in shock because it was very easy," she said. "So easy that until the date to come here, I didn't believe that it will be true."
Since Antonova set up shop, she's been doing a brisk business, with the protagonists of the Netflix documentary The Tinder Swindler among her favourite Cannes clients. "They were so fun!"
'How brave'
Stargazing on Cannes's famed Croisette seaside promenade, she's already spotted Julia Roberts and Anne Hathaway, as well as Brazilian model and actress Adriana Lima.
Scroll through the gallery below to see photos from the 'Top Gun: Maverick' premiere in Cannes:
Antonova doesn't tell people she's Ukrainian, unless they ask, because she doesn't want people to feel sorry for her.
"All people who know that I am from Ukraine give support. They always ask, 'How are you? How is your family?' That's very kind," she said.
By charging up to €300 ($320) per person for evening make-up and seeking investors for her own line of cosmetic products, she's hopeful of soon flying Micha and her mother to Cannes to join her.
As far as what the future will bring, Antonova fights back tears, admitting the anxiety sometimes gets the better of her.
"I think all the world is surprised how brave our people are," she said.
"I hope it will finish very soon. But anyway when the war will be finished, it will be very hard for our people to (rebuild) everything.
"No one knows what will happen tomorrow. Now I'm on my way but I want to feel light. I'm trying to be optimistic."
Business Insights
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MIDWAY
Produced: Lionsgate Films, Shanghai Ryui Entertainment, Street Light Entertainment
Directed: Roland Emmerich
Cast: Ed Skrein, Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Aaron Eckhart, Luke Evans, Nick Jonas, Mandy Moore, Darren Criss
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Voices: How A Great Singer Can Change Your Life
Nick Coleman
Jonathan Cape
Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
Fanney Khan
Producer: T-Series, Anil Kapoor Productions, ROMP, Prerna Arora
Director: Atul Manjrekar
Cast: Anil Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai, Rajkummar Rao, Pihu Sand
Rating: 2/5
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
