Emile Hirsch's 'Insanely Painful Assault'

A woman who was allegedly assaulted by actor Emile Hirsch at the Sundance Film Festival described the incident as being "insanely painful and absolutely terrifying", according to public records.

Daniele Bernfield, a studio executive, told police the Into The Wild star put her in a chokehold from behind, dragged her across and table and body slammed her to the floor.

The Associated Press obtained the records which said Hirsch claimed he didn't remember exactly what happened, saying only that she came at him and he was defending himself.

Ms Bernfeld was initially apprehensive about pursuing charges the night of the 25 January incident at Tao Nightclub in Park City due to the "sensitive nature" of her work and Hirsch's high profile, reports show.

She said the next day that she decided to pursue charges because word of the incident, and her name, had already leaked out to the public and media.

"I am fundamentally not OK with what happened," Ms Bernfeld said on the night of the incident, red marks visible on her neck. "It was insanely painful and absolutely terrifying."

Hirsch was questioned and handcuffed the night of the incident, but released and not formally charged until nearly three weeks later. He was charged with aggravated assault and intoxication.

The felony assault is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

That night, slurring his words and struggling to balance, Hirsch said he had three or four drinks. He acknowledged "mouthing off" a bit with Bernfeld, but said he couldn't remember exactly what happened.

"She started kind of causing a ruckus and I sort of started getting intervening and this happened," said Hirsch. "I don't think it was much more than that to be honest.. I think she had a go at me and I probably defended myself."

The 30-year-old from Encino, California, has made two court appearances in Park City, but has not entered a plea or made any comments outside court. Hirsch is due back in court in Park City on 17 August at a hearing in which prosecutors will lay out the evidence or, possibly, announce a plea deal.

Hirsch was at Sundance for the premiere of the drama Ten Thousand Saints.

He is best-known for his starring role in Into the Wild and has also appeared in Universal's Navy SEAL drama Lone Survivor, Peter Berg's account of a disastrous 2005 military operation in Afghanistan.