Denzel Washington has heated exchange with photographer during 2025 Cannes Film Festival
Denzel Washington had a heated confrontation with a photographer at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
During the out-of-competition world premiere of his latest movie, Highest 2 Lowest, a video by The New York Post showed Washington talking with director Spike Lee at the red carpet when a photographer grabbed his arm, prompting him to turn.
Rapper A$AP Rocky approached his co-star Washington and put his arm on the shoulder of the veteran actor, who spotted the photographer in question.
Washington didn't seem amused, as he can be seen scolding the photographer while pointing a finger at him. What he was saying can't be heard over the video stock music.
The photographer was smiling and repeatedly nodding to the irritated Washington.
Denzel Washington appeared to have a tense exchange on the "Highest 2 Lowest" red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival. 🎥: Getty pic.twitter.com/NirZELEloi
— New York Post (@nypost) May 19, 2025
Washington had already let go of the situation and turned his back, but the photographer grabbed his arm again.
With his back still turned, Washington resisted before facing the photographer and grabbing the latter's hand. He appeared to be telling him "stop" several times before walking away.
Despite the commotion, Washington's representative told PEOPLE Magazine, "It was a great evening."
The incident was also offset by Washington winning an Honorary Palme d'Or, the highest honor of the festival.
Lee helped present the Palme d'Or to Washington.
In his speech, Washington said the award was a "total surprise."
"I'm a little emotional, but from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all," he said. "It was a great opportunity to collaborate with my brother once again—brother from another mother, Spike."
"To be here once again in Cannes, you know, we're a very privileged group in this room that we get to make movies and wear tuxedos and nice clothes and dress up and get paid for it as well," Washington continued, drawing some laughs from the crowd.
"You know, we're just blessed beyond measure, I'm blessed beyond measure, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all. Thank you," he concluded.
Highest 2 Lowest is Washington and Lee's fifth collaboration, and the first time in almost 20 years since Inside Man (2006). Their other projects include Mo' Better Blues (1990), Malcolm X (1992), and He Got Game (1998). It's a "reinterpretation" of Japanese auteur Akira Kurosawa's 1963 crime thriller High and Low, "played out on the mean streets of modern-day New York City," according to the synopsis. Highest 2 Lowest will be in select theaters on Aug. 22 and will stream on Apple TV+ starting Sept. 5.
