Oscar-winner Denzel Washington found himself in the spotlight due to an argument with a photographer on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. Denzel attended the festival for the premiere of his new film Highest 2 Lowest.
The 70-year-old Denzel was talking with fellow artist A$AP Rocky while a number of photographers were calling out to them. According to eyewitnesses, one photographer tried to get Denzel’s attention and grabbed his hand. This caused Denzel to lose his temper. The actor turned toward the photographer and warned him to stop.
As seen in the video circulating on social media, the photographer smiled and again reached for the actor’s hand, but Denzel quickly pulled his hand away and repeatedly told him, “Stop.” He was visibly upset.
The small commotion on the carpet didn’t stop the star from celebrating at the film festival. Denzel, director Spike Lee, and A$AP Rocky received standing ovations for their work on the film, marking the first collaboration between Denzel and Spike in nearly 20 years.
Denzel had to get somebody together at Cannes 👀 pic.twitter.com/bKmMYPucap
— chris evans (@notcapnamerica) May 19, 2025
Received an Honorary Palme d'Or
The surprise awarding of the honorary Palme d'Or, the festival’s highest recognition, touched Denzel. “This is a complete surprise for me, so I’m a bit emotional, but I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. It was a great opportunity to reunite with my brother, my brother from another mother, Spike,” Denzel said.
“We are a very privileged group in this room because we get to make movies, wear tuxedos and nice clothes, dress up and get paid for it. We are simply blessed,” he added.
Highest 2 Lowest is a reinterpretation of the famous thriller High and Low (1963) by Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, but set in the modern streets of New York. In addition to Denzel and A$AP Rocky, the film also stars Jeffrey Wright and Ice Spice. It will be released in cinemas on August 22 and available on the Apple TV+ streaming platform from September 5.
