At the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, tensions flared between acclaimed actor Denzel Washington and an assertive photographer during the red carpet event for Spike Lee’s latest film, “Highest 2 Lowest.” This marks Washington's first appearance at Cannes since his role in “Much Ado About Nothing” back in 1993, making this moment particularly significant as he headlines his fifth collaboration with Lee.
In a video shared by the New York Post, the two-time Oscar winner is seen confronting the photographer, pointing his finger and firmly instructing him to “stop.” As Washington approaches, the photographer attempts to diffuse the situation with laughter and even places his hands around the actor's arm, but Washington quickly pulls away, reiterating his request for the photographer to cease his actions.
Photographers at the Cannes Film Festival are known for their boisterous behavior as they compete for the attention of high-profile stars, which may have contributed to the altercation. In the aftermath of the incident, Variety has reached out to Washington’s representative for further comments regarding the confrontation.
Fortunately for Washington, the evening took a positive turn once the premiere of “Highest 2 Lowest” commenced. In a heartwarming moment, Spike Lee surprised Washington with an Honorary Palme d’Or before the screening began. Festival director Thierry Fremaux also presented a montage celebrating Washington's illustrious career, highlighting iconic films such as “Malcolm X” and “Mo Better Blues,” both directed by Lee, alongside his acclaimed performances in “Glory” and “Training Day.”
The film “Highest 2 Lowest” received an enthusiastic response from the audience at Cannes, garnering a remarkable 5.5-minute standing ovation. Variety’s critic, Peter Debruge, praised the film in his review, stating: “It’s a film whose sensational third act more than justifies what might have seemed an unnecessary update.” Directed by Spike Lee, the movie is an English-language remake of the classic 1963 film “High and Low” by Japanese director Akira Kurosawa.
Set in contemporary New York, “Highest 2 Lowest” features Washington as a music mogul entangled in a life-or-death ransom plot. Fans can look forward to the film's release in theaters on August 22, followed by its streaming debut on Apple TV+ starting September 5.
