Cannes Film Fest 2025: Denzel Washington, Oscar Winner, on the Red Carpet

Denzel Washington Vs. Pushy Cannes Photographer, Yells ‘Stop!’ During Tense Red Carpet Moment

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 19: Denzel Washington attends the "Highest 2 Lowest" red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 19, 2025 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Corbis via Getty Images

There was some tension between Denzel Washington and pushy photographer on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet for Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest.

The actor headlines the movie, his fifth collaboration with Lee, and appeared at Cannes for the first time since 1993’s “Much Ado About Nothing” brought him to the festival.

Video from the carpet shared by the New York Post sees the two-time Oscar winner pointing his finger at a photographer and shouting at him to “stop.” As Washington approaches, the photographer is seen trying to laugh off the confrontation and he puts his hands around the actor’s arm. Washington pulls himself away and again tells the photographer to stop. The photographers at Cannes are known to be shouty as they vie for stars’ attention.

Washington’s night rebounded once the “Highest 2 Lowest” premiere began. The actor was awarded a surprise Honorary Palme d’Or by Lee before the screening started.

Cannes festival director Thierry Fremaux also introduced a montage of Washington’s films — including “Malcolm X” and “Mo Better Blues,” both directed by Lee — as well as his Oscar-winning performances in “Glory” and “Training Day.”

“Highest 2 Lowest” earned a 5.5-minute standing ovation and was praised by critics, especially its stunning second half.

Directed by Lee, “Highest 2 Lowest” is an English-language remake of Japanese director Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film “High and Low.” Lee’s reimagining is set in modern day New York and stars Washington as a music mogul tied up in a life-or-death ransom plot.

“Highest 2 Lowest” will be released in theaters August 22 and stream on Apple TV+ starting Sept. 5.

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