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."
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net
AndhaDhun
Director: Sriram Raghavan
Producer: Matchbox Pictures, Viacom18
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan
Rating: 3.5/5
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ELIO
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- Torrijos Palace dome
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Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
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Torque: 560Nm
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
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6.30pm Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh125,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner ES Ajeeb, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Ibrahim Aseel (trainer).
7.05pm Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Galaxy Road, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
7.40pm Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Al Modayar, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh170,000 (D) 1,900m
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8.50pm Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
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9.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 (D)1,200m
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Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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